A new variant of Covid-19 called Arcturus, thought to be the most contagious, is spreading in the UK.
The species, scientifically named XBB.1.16, is currently causing a spike in infections in India, increasing 13 times in a month.
Arcturus is currently responsible for only a small proportion of infections in the UK, but experts expect it to increase significantly. Here’s everything you need to know about species.
What is the Arcturus variant?
Arcturus was first spotted in late January and has been recorded in 29 countries so far.
It is only 0.07% of cases in the UK according to the GISAID database, but this number is expected to rise due to its contagiousness.
According to a study by the University of Tokyo, XBB.1.16 is almost 1.2 times more portable than XBB.1.5, commonly known as Kraken. Kraken used to be the most infectious variant of Covid. Both are sub-variants of the Omicron.
However, the strain is not thought to cause a more serious infection. Dr Maria Van Kerkhove of the World Health Organization said: “This has been around for months. We saw no change in severity in individuals or populations, so we implemented these systems.”
The WHO stated that this strain is very similar to XBB.1.5, but has “an additional spike protein mutation, laboratory studies have shown increased infectivity and possibly increased pathogenicity.”
In March, Arcturus was labeled a “controlled option,” less of a concern than an “interesting option.”
What are the symptoms of Arcturus?
The symptoms of Arcturus appear to be the same as other current strains of Covid – mostly mild cold-like symptoms.
According to the ZOE-Covid study, the three most common symptoms of Covid are currently sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and sneezing, while fever and loss of taste or smell – previously one of the most common symptoms of the virus – are no longer common. Top 10
The latest research data lists them as the five most common symptoms:
- Sore throat
- runny nose
- nasal congestion
- sneeze
- Cough without sputum
Will Arcturus cause a new wave of infections?
Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, said the University of Tokyo study “confirms the growth advantage of XBB.1.16 and its ability to partially bypass the neutralizing immunity induced by previous infections with other omicron variants.”
He added: “While it is clear that XBB.1.16 is more contagious and capable of spreading, booster shots targeting Omicron will provide some protection, highlighting the need for those who qualify (those who are over 75 and clinically vulnerable) to to get your booster shots. . And the antiviral drug Paxlovid will continue to work as an effective treatment.
“The particularly rapid emergence of XBB.1.16 in India is of concern given the level of immunity of this population to previous infections and vaccinations.
“Current reports do not show an increase in admissions, intensive care unit admissions or deaths, but we need to keep an eye on this option as it continues to spread.
“The danger is that, with reduced levels of surveillance in the UK, reduced immunity to previous infections and vaccinations, and general complacency, we are not well prepared to deal with a new wave of infections.”
Steve Griffin, a virologist at the University of Leeds, said: “As with all of these new sub-variants, there appears to be a clear advantage in terms of antibody evasion and infectivity over previous strains, meaning we are likely to see another wave around. “see. As in 2022 and earlier this year, the size of these waves is difficult to predict.”
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.