A new COVID-19 variant, XEC, has been identified globally, first appearing in Germany in June before spreading to other European countries and the United States.
According to virology expert Mahjoub Aouni, XEC is characterized by its rapid transmission but remains less severe compared to earlier variants and does not exhibit pandemic-like traits.
This development comes amidst a seasonal rise in respiratory illnesses, including flu and rhinoviruses, driven by colder weather and changing climatic conditions. Aouni emphasized the importance of preventive measures to protect against these illnesses. Despite XEC’s high transmissibility, its reduced severity makes it less concerning than previous COVID-19 strains.
