XEC Illness: What It Is, How It Spreads, and What Londoners Need to Know

When people talk about XEC illness, a new Omicron subvariant of SARS-CoV-2 that emerged in late 2024 and began spreading rapidly across London in early 2025. It's not a new virus—it's a mutated cousin of earlier strains, and it's here to stay. Unlike the scary headlines from 2020, this version doesn’t slam hospitals. It slips in quietly, often mistaken for a bad cold or seasonal flu. But it’s different enough to dodge some immunity, which is why cases are rising again—especially in crowded areas like the Tube, schools, and care homes.

What makes XEC illness stand out isn’t how sick it makes you—it’s how easily it spreads. It’s more contagious than earlier variants, but hospitalizations haven’t spiked. That’s because most people have some protection from past infections or vaccines. Still, older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and those with long-term health conditions are at higher risk. The XEC variant, a specific strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus classified under the Omicron family has mutations in its spike protein that help it bind tighter to human cells. That’s why you’re seeing more positive tests, even if fewer people end up in ICU. And yes, it’s still circulating in London as of late 2025. No lockdowns, no mask mandates—but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.

Some of the XEC symptoms, common signs associated with infection by the XEC variant, including sore throat, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell are mild: scratchy throat, tiredness, a runny nose. But there’s one odd one popping up more than before—people report a strange metallic or sweet taste in their mouth, even when they haven’t eaten anything. It’s not dangerous, but it’s weird enough to make you wonder if it’s something else. If you’re over 65, have diabetes, or take immunosuppressants, get your updated booster. If you’re healthy, wash your hands, skip crowded spaces when you’re feeling off, and test before visiting vulnerable family members. You don’t need to panic, but you do need to be smart.

The truth is, we’re not in a pandemic anymore. We’re in an endemic phase. That means the virus is here to stay, but our defenses are stronger. The London virus outbreak, a localized surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the XEC variant, primarily affecting urban centers in Greater London is just another wave—like flu season, but with different rules. The data shows cases are climbing, but deaths and hospital stays are holding steady. That’s progress. But progress doesn’t mean ignoring the risk. It means adapting. And that’s what these posts are for: real, no-fluff updates on what’s happening, who it affects, and what you can actually do about it.

Below, you’ll find clear, fact-based reports on the latest XEC spread in London, what the NHS is doing, how vaccines hold up against it, and what symptoms to watch for. No speculation. No fearmongering. Just what you need to know to stay safe without losing your mind.