Thailand closely monitoring spread of Omicron XEC variant

Bangkok - COVID-19 cases have surged in Thailand, with a total of 71,067 infections and 19 deaths reported between January 1 and May 14, according to the country’s COVID-19 Information Centre.

The number of cases continues to rise, with two significant cluster outbreaks identified. The spike follows the Songkran holiday period (week 16), during which case numbers steadily increased.

Data from the Department of Medical Sciences shows a growing presence of the Omicron XEC variant in Thailand during January and February. Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious, monitor symptoms, wash hands frequently, and wear masks in crowded places.

The XEC variant is a newly emerged recombinant strain of Omicron, first identified in Germany in June 2024. It is a hybrid of two subvariants, namely KS.1.1 (FLiRT) and KP.3.3 (FLuQE). XEC carries multiple mutations that enable faster transmission, and it has now been detected in at least 15 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Over 550 genetic sequences from 27 countries have been documented. Data from the US, UK, and China shows that XEC spreads 84–110% faster than other Omicron subvariants, making up 10–20% of new infections in some regions.