A new strain of COVID-19, the virus that nearly brought the world to a halt in 2020 due to its outbreak, has surfaced and is much more difficult to identify.
According to information obtained by Knewz.com, the symptoms of this novel strain of the coronavirus can resemble the flu or common cold and can only be accurately identified by a COVID test.
As a “subvariant” of the virus’s omicronstrain, the most recent strain of COVID-19, referred to as the XEC, is actually a hybrid of two omicron “descendants,” according to reports.
The new strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID, is probably more contagious than the other strains, according to Dr. Scott Roberts, an infectious disease specialist at the Yale School of Medicine.
In a November 1 report on the transmission of the XEC variety, the CDC stated: “There are numerous minor variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, that are descended from the JN.As we approach the winter of 2024–2025, one option is co-circulating.”
“XEC, a hybrid of two JN.1 variants, represents 14 22% of viruses and is increasing,” according to the CDC.
Recombination between two variants linked to JN.1 is one of the factors contributing to the mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 variant XEC. These SARS-CoV-2 variations can occasionally evade your immunity and cause you to feel ill because they appear unfamiliar to your immune system,” the statement continued.
But according to the expert, the symptoms should be less severe than those of COVID-19, which killed more than seven million people worldwide.
Additionally, specialists think that the COVID-19 vaccinations that are now available should be effective against the new strain of the virus because of their constituent parts.
According to a statement from Kirsten Hokeness, director of Bryant University’s School of Health and Behavior Sciences, people older than six months should regularly receive booster shots because the virus is known to change quickly.
“The development of complete immunity takes a few weeks… According to Hokeness, “the fall is a great time to get the updated vaccine so you are protected going into the winter months where we see heightened infection.”
“The 2024 2025 COVID-19 vaccine will reduce your risk of severe illness and protect against the variants most common now and those likely to be common in the future,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated.
According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) assessment, the XEC poses a “low” risk to public health, so there isn’t much reason to fear about the new strain of COVID-19 just yet.
TheInitial Risk Evaluation of XECby the WHO, published on December 9, states: “Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by XEC is evaluated as low at the global level.”
“The recommended COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain cross-reactive to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease, as there is limited immune escape from JN.1 or KP.2 mRNA booster vaccines.”
The WHO furthermentionedthat the XEC is “currently the only SARS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring (VUM) with increasing prevalence globally.”
Regarding preventive measures one can take to reduce the risk of contracting the new COVID-19 strain, the CDC suggests improving general cleanliness and practicing good hygiene, in addition to “taking steps for cleaner air.”
The CDC alsosuggests “using precautions to prevent spread, including staying home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory symptoms.”
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