A new variant of the coronavirus—the XEC—is spreading around the world, American cardiologist and scientist, director of the Scripps Research Institute, Eric Topol, wrote on X.

This variant was first discovered in Germany in June, and since then XEC cases have been reported in the UK, the US, Denmark, and several other countries, Topol added.

He wrote that the XEC spreading is just beginning.

It will take a few weeks, a month or two to spread, and then it will really strengthen and create its own wave, Topol told the Los Angeles Times.

It is quite obvious that XEC is becoming mainstream. Apparently, it will become the next variant of the coronavirus. But several months will pass before its spread reaches high levels, Topol believes, BBC reported.

XEC differs from its predecessors in certain mutations that may help it spread faster, the scientists have noted. However, they believe that the existing vaccines should help prevent its most serious consequences for human health.