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[Skip to main content](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/xec-what-you-need-know-about-new-covid-variant#main-content) [ Back to main site](https://www.gavi.org/) - [English](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/xec-what-you-need-know-about-new-covid-variant) - [Français](https://www.gavi.org/fr/homepage) [](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork) ## Main navigation - Vaccineswork - [About](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/about) - [Stories](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/topics/stories) - [News](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/topics/lab) - [History](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/topics/history) - [Emerging Threats](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/topics/emerging-threats) - [Opinions](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/topics/opinions) - [Search](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/search) ## Vaccineswork - Search - [Search](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/search) [](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork) ## Main navigation - Vaccineswork - [About](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/about) - [Stories](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/topics/stories) - [News](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/topics/lab) - [History](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/topics/history) - [Emerging Threats](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/topics/emerging-threats) - [Opinions](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/topics/opinions) - [Search](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/search) [The science behind COVID-19](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/topics/science) [Cross-posts](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/tag/cross-posts)[COVID-19](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/tag/covid19) # XEC: what you need to know about the new COVID variant The new COVID variant XEC may be spreading faster than other variants, but it is not a radically different variant. - **23 September 2024** - 4 min read - **by** [The Conversation](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/authors/the-conversation)  Alex Ruhl / Alamy Stock Photo A new COVID variant is spreading rapidly and could soon become the dominant variant around the globe. The variant, called XEC, was first detected [in Germany in August](https://www.euronews.com/health/2024/09/17/new-covid-variant-xec-on-the-rise-in-europe) and appears to have a growth advantage over other circulating variants – but it is not a radically different variant. XEC is what’s known as a “recombinant variant”. Recombinants can occur naturally when a person is simultaneously infected with two different COVID variants. XEC is the product of a recombination (exchanged pieces of genetic material between two variants) between the KS.1.1 variant and the KP.3.3 variant. These two parent variants are closely related, having both evolved [from JN.1](https://theconversation.com/the-emergence-of-jn-1-is-an-evolutionary-step-change-in-the-covid-pandemic-why-is-this-significant-220285), which was the dominant variant around the world at the start of 2024. XEC was first [reported](https://github.com/sars-cov-2-variants/lineage-proposals/issues/1827) in early August 2024 in Germany and a few other European countries but has since continued to spread, with over 600 cases identified in 27 countries across Europe, North America and Asia. Scientists identify XEC cases using a public database called [Gisaid](https://gisaid.org/), to which genetic sequences of viruses are uploaded for analysis. It is here that mutations in SARS-CoV-2 are spotted (SARS-CoV-2 being the virus that causes COVID). But it’s a bit like a drunk looking for his lost keys under the street lamp because that’s where the light is best. In other words, more cases of new variants are spotted in those countries that typically sequence more COVID samples through routine surveillance programmes. Countries with the highest number of identified XEC cases as of September 18 are the US (118), Germany (92), UK (82), Canada (77) and Denmark (61). Of course, these numbers could be higher in countries that don’t routinely sequence COVID samples. Currently, the dominant variant in Europe and North America is KP.3.1.1, while the closely related KP.3.3 dominates in Asia. XEC is a minority variant and its prevalence is highest in Germany, where around 13% of sequences are potentially XEC. In the UK, prevalence is around 7%, while in the US it is below 5%. However, XEC appears to have a growth advantage and is spreading faster than other circulating variants, suggesting it will become the dominant variant globally in the next few months. XEC has very similar genetic material to both its parent variants as well other circulating variants, which are mostly derived from JN.1. One reason for XEC’s advantage could be the relatively rare T22N mutation (inherited from KS.1.1) combined with Q493E (from KP.3.3) in the spike protein. The spike protein is a critical part of the virus that binds to human cells, enabling the virus to gain entry and start replicating. However, little is known about the effects of the T22N mutation on how well the virus can replicate or spread between people. #### Have you read? - [COVID-19's brat summer: everything you need to know about the latest surge](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/covid-19s-brat-summer-everything-you-need-know-about-latest-surge "COVID-19's brat summer: everything you need to know about the latest surge") - [Preparing for the unknown: how the world can get ready for the next pandemic](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/preparing-unknown-how-world-can-get-ready-next-pandemic "Preparing for the unknown: how the world can get ready for the next pandemic") ### But does it cause worse disease? We don’t have data yet from patients or laboratory experiments to tell us what kind of illness XEC is likely to cause – although this data is expected soon. However, this new variant will probably be similar to other COVID variants in terms of the disease caused, given its similar genetic information. So symptoms such as a high temperature, sore throat with a cough, headaches and body aches along with tiredness are to be expected. Hospitalisations usually increase in winter as a consequence of colder temperatures and increased spreading of viruses (due to people being indoors more). So these increases, when they come should not necessarily be associated with the new variant. The campaign for autumn booster in the UK will start in October with an updated vaccine targeting the JN.1 variant, which XEC derives from, assuring a good level of protection against severe illness. XEC is the latest in a long list of past and current COVID variants being monitored as the virus naturally evolves. Recombinant variants themselves are nothing new, as COVID cases in 2023 were dominated by the XBB recombinant variant. Several other closely related variants are being monitored, such as the MV.1 variant, which like XEC also has the T22N mutation in the spike protein. MV.1 was originally reported in India in late June and has also spread rapidly to other countries, making it one to monitor in the future. XEC may well become the dominant global variant, but it could be outcompeted before then or replaced quickly afterwards by a different but closely related variant. ***  This article is republished from [The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/) under a Creative Commons license. Read the [original article](https://theconversation.com/xec-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-covid-variant-239125). #### Authors [Richard Orton](https://theconversation.com/profiles/richard-orton-215189), Bioinformatics Research Associate, [*University of Glasgow*](https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-glasgow-1269) and [Wilhelm Furnon](https://theconversation.com/profiles/wilhelm-furnon-2212357), Postdoctoral Research Associate, Virology, [*University of Glasgow*](https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-glasgow-1269) #### Disclosure statement Richard Orton receives funding from the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust Wilhelm Furnon receives funding from the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. #### Partners [University of Glasgow](https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-glasgow-1269) provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK. *** ## More from The Conversation [View all](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/authors/the-conversation) [](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/why-ai-health-chatbots-wont-make-you-better-diagnosing-yourself-new-research) ## [Why AI health chatbots won’t make you better at diagnosing yourself – new research](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/why-ai-health-chatbots-wont-make-you-better-diagnosing-yourself-new-research) 2 Apr 2026 4 min read [Cross-posts](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/tag/cross-posts)[AI](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/tag/ai) [](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/first-european-case-h9n2-bird-flu-reported-italy-what-you-need-know) ## [First European case of H9N2 bird flu reported in Italy – what you need to know](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/first-european-case-h9n2-bird-flu-reported-italy-what-you-need-know) 31 Mar 2026 3 min read [Cross-posts](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/tag/cross-posts)[Influenza](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/tag/influenza) [](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/bacterial-meningitis-deadly-can-also-have-life-altering-long-term-effects-new-study) ## [Bacterial meningitis is deadly, but can also have life‑altering long‑term effects – new study](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/bacterial-meningitis-deadly-can-also-have-life-altering-long-term-effects-new-study) 23 Mar 2026 4 min read [Cross-posts](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/tag/cross-posts)[Meningitis](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/tag/meningitis)[Outbreaks](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/tag/outbreaks) [](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/cancer-vaccines-could-transformative-misinformation-threatens-their-potential) ## [Cancer vaccines could be transformative, but misinformation threatens their potential](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/cancer-vaccines-could-transformative-misinformation-threatens-their-potential) 19 Mar 2026 5 min read [Cross-posts](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/tag/cross-posts)[Vaccine development](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/tag/vaccine-development) *** ## Recommended for you  ## [8 things you need to know about the BA.3.2 ‘Cicada’ variant of COVID-19](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/8-things-you-need-know-about-ba32-cicada-variant-covid-19) 2 Apr 2026 5 min read  ## [Defensive manoeuvres: the vaccines the military made](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/defensive-manoeuvres-vaccines-military-made) 2 Apr 2026 14 min read  ## [Why AI health chatbots won’t make you better at diagnosing yourself – new research](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/why-ai-health-chatbots-wont-make-you-better-diagnosing-yourself-new-research) 2 Apr 2026 4 min read  ## [In northern Nigeria, an emir speaks up for malaria vaccination](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/northern-nigeria-emir-speaks-malaria-vaccination) 1 Apr 2026 5 min read  ## [Science communication is central to the practice of science](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/science-communication-central-practice-science) 1 Apr 2026 6 min read  ## [First European case of H9N2 bird flu reported in Italy – what you need to know](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/first-european-case-h9n2-bird-flu-reported-italy-what-you-need-know) 31 Mar 2026 3 min read ###### Get the latest VaccinesWork news Subscribe to Global Health Notes, our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, to get the latest VaccinesWork news and features. 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A new COVID variant is spreading rapidly and could soon become the dominant variant around the globe. The variant, called XEC, was first detected [in Germany in August](https://www.euronews.com/health/2024/09/17/new-covid-variant-xec-on-the-rise-in-europe) and appears to have a growth advantage over other circulating variants – but it is not a radically different variant. XEC is what’s known as a “recombinant variant”. Recombinants can occur naturally when a person is simultaneously infected with two different COVID variants. XEC is the product of a recombination (exchanged pieces of genetic material between two variants) between the KS.1.1 variant and the KP.3.3 variant. These two parent variants are closely related, having both evolved [from JN.1](https://theconversation.com/the-emergence-of-jn-1-is-an-evolutionary-step-change-in-the-covid-pandemic-why-is-this-significant-220285), which was the dominant variant around the world at the start of 2024. XEC was first [reported](https://github.com/sars-cov-2-variants/lineage-proposals/issues/1827) in early August 2024 in Germany and a few other European countries but has since continued to spread, with over 600 cases identified in 27 countries across Europe, North America and Asia. Scientists identify XEC cases using a public database called [Gisaid](https://gisaid.org/), to which genetic sequences of viruses are uploaded for analysis. It is here that mutations in SARS-CoV-2 are spotted (SARS-CoV-2 being the virus that causes COVID). But it’s a bit like a drunk looking for his lost keys under the street lamp because that’s where the light is best. In other words, more cases of new variants are spotted in those countries that typically sequence more COVID samples through routine surveillance programmes. Countries with the highest number of identified XEC cases as of September 18 are the US (118), Germany (92), UK (82), Canada (77) and Denmark (61). Of course, these numbers could be higher in countries that don’t routinely sequence COVID samples. Currently, the dominant variant in Europe and North America is KP.3.1.1, while the closely related KP.3.3 dominates in Asia. XEC is a minority variant and its prevalence is highest in Germany, where around 13% of sequences are potentially XEC. In the UK, prevalence is around 7%, while in the US it is below 5%. However, XEC appears to have a growth advantage and is spreading faster than other circulating variants, suggesting it will become the dominant variant globally in the next few months. XEC has very similar genetic material to both its parent variants as well other circulating variants, which are mostly derived from JN.1. One reason for XEC’s advantage could be the relatively rare T22N mutation (inherited from KS.1.1) combined with Q493E (from KP.3.3) in the spike protein. The spike protein is a critical part of the virus that binds to human cells, enabling the virus to gain entry and start replicating. However, little is known about the effects of the T22N mutation on how well the virus can replicate or spread between people. #### Have you read? - [COVID-19's brat summer: everything you need to know about the latest surge](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/covid-19s-brat-summer-everything-you-need-know-about-latest-surge "COVID-19's brat summer: everything you need to know about the latest surge") - [Preparing for the unknown: how the world can get ready for the next pandemic](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/preparing-unknown-how-world-can-get-ready-next-pandemic "Preparing for the unknown: how the world can get ready for the next pandemic") ### But does it cause worse disease? We don’t have data yet from patients or laboratory experiments to tell us what kind of illness XEC is likely to cause – although this data is expected soon. However, this new variant will probably be similar to other COVID variants in terms of the disease caused, given its similar genetic information. So symptoms such as a high temperature, sore throat with a cough, headaches and body aches along with tiredness are to be expected. Hospitalisations usually increase in winter as a consequence of colder temperatures and increased spreading of viruses (due to people being indoors more). So these increases, when they come should not necessarily be associated with the new variant. The campaign for autumn booster in the UK will start in October with an updated vaccine targeting the JN.1 variant, which XEC derives from, assuring a good level of protection against severe illness. XEC is the latest in a long list of past and current COVID variants being monitored as the virus naturally evolves. Recombinant variants themselves are nothing new, as COVID cases in 2023 were dominated by the XBB recombinant variant. Several other closely related variants are being monitored, such as the MV.1 variant, which like XEC also has the T22N mutation in the spike protein. MV.1 was originally reported in India in late June and has also spread rapidly to other countries, making it one to monitor in the future. XEC may well become the dominant global variant, but it could be outcompeted before then or replaced quickly afterwards by a different but closely related variant. ***