A new highly transmissible COVID-19 strain that first appeared in Europe is now beginning to spread in the United States. Called XEC, the offshoot of the Omicron strain was initially identified in Germany early this past summer before quickly spreading throughout Europe.

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In today’s health headlines, what to know about the new COVID XEC strain, an ebola-like virus is spreading in Rwanda, and a message for parents about childhood vaccine exemptions. Dr. Onyema Ogbuagu,

The XEC Covid variant is said to be 'wiping people out' as it comes with more severe symptoms than some of its predecessors, likening it to flu as the side effects are so intense

He added: "This new variant will probably be similar to other Covid variants in terms of the disease caused, given its similar genetic information. So symptoms such as a high temperature, sore throat with a cough, headaches and body aches along with tiredness are to be expected."

A new - and potentially more transmissible - variant of COVID could become dominant this winter, experts believe. Global cases of the XEC variant have been rising slowly since it was first identified in Germany in June.