There’s no evidence of a COVID-19 variant named “Straus” spreading globally. However, a new variant called XEC is gaining attention. Here’s what we know about it:
What is XEC?
XEC is a recombinant variant, formed by combining two Omicron subvariants, KP.3.3 and KS.1.1. It’s part of the Omicron lineage and has been detected in multiple countries, including France, the US, the UK, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Symptoms and Severity
Symptoms of XEC are similar to those of other COVID-19 variants, including:
– Sore throat
– Fever
– Fatigue
– Muscle aches
– Cough
– Hoarseness (reported in some cases)
The severity of symptoms varies, but most cases have been reported as mild. XEC doesn’t seem to cause more severe illness than previous variants.
