<p>Covid seems to be rising again with a new and more contagious variant -- XEC -- spreading rapidly across 15 countries.&nbsp;</p>
<p>First detected in Germany in June, XEC is a combination of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants. According to reports, it has already overtaken the previously dominant FliRT strain of the deadly virus. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The strain, belonging to the Omicron variant, is currently spreading "quite rapidly" across Europe, North America and Asia.</p>
<p>About 550 samples have now been reported, from 27 countries, including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, Portugal, the US and China have now reported samples.</p>
<p>"At this juncture, the XEC variant appears to be the most likely one to get legs next," Eric Topol, Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California, US, said in a recent post on X.</p>
<p>As per experts, XEC comes with some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn. However, vaccines may help prevent severe cases.</p>
<p>In a post on X, a Melbourne-based data expert Mike Honey stated that XEC strain is "a likely next challenger to the currently dominant variants".</p>
<p>Honey noted that XEC has already charged ahead of other variants like the FLiRT, FLuQU and DEFLuQE strains.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The strain reportedly causes symptoms that are similar to those experienced with common illnesses such as influenza and colds.&nbsp;</p>
<p>While most people will get better within a few weeks, for some it may take longer to recover and some may even require hospitalisation.</p>
<p>According to the UK NHS, the variant causes flu-like symptoms which includes a high temperature or shivering (chills), a new, continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, shortness of breath, fatigue, body ache, loss of appetite, among others.</p>
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The XEC Covid variant strain, belonging to the Omicron variant, is currently spreading "quite rapidly" across Europe, North America and Asia

XEC Covid variant: Know all about new variant identified in 15 countries

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First detected in Germany in June, XEC is a combination of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants. According to reports, it has already overtaken the previously dominant FliRT strain of the deadly virus

XEC: Know all about new Covid variant identified in 15 countries

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