New COVID Variant XEC Reported in Half of States: Key Information.

A new COVID-19 variant, known as XEC, is now being monitored by health officials as it spreads globally and has been identified in around half of the states across the United States.

Despite its emergence, health experts are not expressing significant alarm about XEC, especially when compared to previous variants that raised more serious concerns.

The appearance of XEC coincides with the current state of COVID-19 trends, which remain rated as “high.” However, these trends are beginning to dwindle following a summer wave of infections that peaked last month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that cases may rise again during the winter months, potentially peaking around mid-January.

As of now, at least 25 states have reported infections linked to the XEC variant, with preliminary information from the global virus database GISAID highlighting over 100 cases within the United States. New Jersey has reported the highest number of XEC cases, totaling at least 15, while California and Virginia follow with at least 10 cases each.

The majority of these cases in New Jersey have been detected through the CDC’s program that analyzes samples from travelers arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport. Additionally, early reports of XEC in the U.S. came from the Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, where scientists collected samples from patients as early as July.

Carla Finkielstein, head of molecular diagnostics at the Virginia Tech institute, noted there is currently no specific trend related to the cases observed. She emphasized the need for continued genomic screenings to monitor these samples more widely.

According to Finkielstein, most samples analyzed come from hospitals in southwestern Virginia; however, there is limited demographic data available on these patients, making it unclear whether they were hospitalized or visited an emergency room.

The XEC variant gained attention when variant trackers proposed its designation in early August after cases emerged in both Europe and Virginia around the same timeframe. In recent weeks, reports of the variant’s spread in Germany have amplified online discussions and concerns about its prevalence.

Yet, there is skepticism among experts regarding whether XEC will outpace other strains currently circulating. Its closely related counterpart, KP.3.1.1, has shown greater dominance in several countries, making up more than half of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. according to the CDC.

If XEC manages to become the dominant strain, it would represent yet another new variant following months with only modest shifts in the threat levels posed by circulating strains. This contrasts with the highly mutated BA.2.86 variant that raised alarms a year ago due to its notable genetic changes.

It is worth noting that XEC is a recombinant variant, formed from two closely related strains known as KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, both of which are descendants of the JN.1 strain that dominated earlier waves of infections.

The CDC has indicated it does not have knowledge of any specific symptoms tied to the XEC variant or any co-circulating lineages. Public health officials continue to recommend vaccinations for the upcoming fall and winter seasons, especially with updated COVID-19 vaccines now available.

These updated vaccines target the KP.2 strain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently defended its decision to choose KP.2, despite a recommendation from the World Health Organization to focus on the JN.1 strain instead. The FDA expressed strong confidence in the efficacy of the vaccines for this season.

The extent of the impact that XEC may have on vaccine effectiveness is still unclear, as the FDA has not provided immediate guidance on the variant’s potential influence. However, CDC representatives have reassured that current COVID-19 treatments and vaccines are expected to work against all circulating variants.

CDC officials will keep monitoring the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments in response to evolving variants and variations in COVID-19 trends.