Warning as new ‘more contagious’ Covid variant XEC spreads to 27 countries – and experts say ‘it’s just getting started’

SCIENTISTS are sounding the alarm about a new more contagious Covid variant called XEC, which is spreading across Europe. First detected in Germany in June, XEC has now been reported in several countries, including the UK, Denmark, and Germany. 2 Scientists believe the fresh bug is not likely to be as deadly as some of its predecessors, but could be more contagious Credit: Getty 2 The XEC variant is shaping up to be the "next big challenge" for hospitals, experts say.

“At this juncture, the XEC variant appears to be the most likely one to get legs next,” Dr Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California, wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. He said it may take “many weeks, a couple of months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave”. He added: "XEC is definitely taking charge," Read more on Covid STOP THE SPREAD Airports at tropical hotspot enforce Covid-style passes to stop mutant mpox COVID CURSE The Covid kids starting school struggling to speak & still in nappies "That does appear to be the next variant.

"But it's months off from getting into high levels." As it stands, scientists believe the fresh bug is not likely to be as deadly as some of its predecessors, but could be more contagious. Professor Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News that although XEC has a "slight transmission advantage" over other recent Covid variants, vaccines should sti.