This article is also available in:
Русский (Russian) 
Uzbek
Scientists worldwide are raising alarms about the spread of a new coronavirus variant called XEC. This strain has already been detected in 27 countries and, according to experts, may soon become the dominant version of the virus, replacing previous variants. The question of whether it poses a threat to the people of Uzbekistan and whether it has already been identified in the country is of great concern. The First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health (SES), Nurmat Atabekov, has commented on the situation.
What is known about the XEC variant?
XEC is a new coronavirus variant that is a combination of two subtypes of the Omicron strain: KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. It was first detected in Germany in June 2023 and has since rapidly spread to other countries. International experts warn that XEC could become the most prevalent variant of coronavirus this winter, although they emphasize that despite its rapid spread, the illness it causes is relatively mild.
How dangerous is the XEC variant?
According to Nurmat Atabekov, the XEC variant of the coronavirus presents with clinical symptoms similar to those of common colds or the flu. The main symptoms include mild shortness of breath, prolonged coughing, temporary loss of taste and smell, and general weakness. It’s important to note that the illness caused by this variant generally passes without severe complications or the need for hospitalization.
Are existing vaccines effective against XEC?
Experts claim that all existing coronavirus vaccines, including those used in Uzbekistan, remain effective against the XEC variant. This means there is currently no need to develop a new vaccine, and those who have already been vaccinated can feel protected.
Has XEC been detected in Uzbekistan?
Nurmat Atabekov assured that the XEC variant has not yet been identified in Uzbekistan. At the same time, the country has sufficient vaccine supplies to maintain a high level of collective immunity, which helps reduce the risk of large-scale epidemics and prevent the virus from spreading widely.
What can we expect in the future?
Since the start of the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has undergone about 40,000 mutations, but only a few of them have had a significant impact on the spread or severity of the disease. According to Atabekov, there is no need to panic over the emergence of new variants, as most of them do not pose a serious threat to health. He urged citizens to stay calm, follow health recommendations, and ensure they are vaccinated on time.
Thus, while the XEC variant is causing concern and interest among scientists, it has not yet been registered in Uzbekistan, and the current preventive and vaccination measures remain effective in combating it.
The text has been translated by AI. For more accurate information, please refer to the Russian version of the article