Health officials have warned of a new Covid variant coined ‘XEC’, which has begun to spread in the UK.
First reported in Germany in June, ‘XEC’ is known to stem from the Omicron variant. It has since advanced across Europe with cases emerging now in the US and Asia.
Dr Louise Herron, deputy director of Public Health at the Public Health Agency (PHA) has confirmed that no variants have been detected in Northern Ireland yet.
“The latest published data, detailed in the Covid-19 Epidemiological Bulletin for Northern Ireland contain information on detections of variants and are published weekly,” she said.
The variant has since been detected in at least 11 European countries so far since it was initially spotted in Berlin.
Prof Francois Balloux, Director of Computational Systems Biology at UCL’s Genetics Institute stated while cases will go up, the XEC variant “is not fuelling a surge” and is not anticipated to “cause the next wave.”
Symptoms for ‘XEC’ mirror flu-like characteristics similar to previous variants of Covid.
The most recent symptoms the NHS name on their website include: a high temperature, shivering, a new and continuous cough, feeling tired or exhausted and loss of appetite.
Most cases result in a quick recovery, however, some may experience more severe symptoms such as those designated as ‘high risk’.
The PHA advised on taking precautionary measures to reduce the risk of passing and catching the illness.
“The risk of catching or passing on Covid-19, flu or other respiratory infections is greatest when someone who is infected comes into close proximity with other people,” Dr Herron said.
She added. “Although widespread Covid-19 testing is no longer available, it is important to be aware of symptoms that could be caused by Covid-19 infection so you can exercise caution and take action to reduce the risk of spreading it to other people.
Eric Topol, a professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine, believes the XEC variant appears to “be the most likely one to get legs next”, as stated on X.
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In a public statement, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that vaccination continues to be the best protection against the illness.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA deputy director, assured the public that the development of a new strain is “normal and expected” adding that viruses “genetically change over time.”
She went on to encourage those who are eligible for a free booster to get the latest jab.
People qualifying for the free jab in Northern Ireland are as follows — those who live in an adult care home, those aged 65 years or older, those over the age of 6 months in a high-risk group & some front-line NHS, care home or social care workers.
“Vaccination provides the best protection against serious illness from Covid-19, and we urge those who are contacted by the NHS to come forward to receive their autumn vaccine,” Dr Amirthalingam said.
“It is normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time. UKHSA continues to monitor all available information relating to emerging Covid variants in the UK and internationally, and to publish our data regularly,” she added.
Dr Herron reinforced this in her statement. “Vaccines are the best defence against Covid-19 and flu. They provide good protection against hospitalisation and death, and reduce the risk of long-term symptoms and spread to others.
She advised that the winter vaccination program will commence in Northern Ireland on the 7th of October and will start with residents of care homes.
The PHA said further information on the program will be rolled out in the coming weeks.