Global trends suggest emerging Covid-19 variant XEC may pose a serious health risk

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) says while cases of the emerging Covid-19 variant XEC have already been reported in parts of the US, there has not been a significant uptick in infections locally.SAMA CEO Dr Mzulungile Theo Nodikida said global trends, however, suggest XEC may pose a serious health risk.The variant has been rapidly spreading across Europe and is anticipated to become the dominant strain globally in the coming months.SAMA said the variant has raised questions about vaccine efficacy and public health strategies.“According to experts at the Centre for Disease…