Covid variant XFG surges 14% in US as WHO tracks spread to 38 nations, India confirms 163 cases; here's what we know so far
The World Health Organization (WHO) has placed XFG under its 'variant under monitoring' category. This means that while it is not considered a major health threat at present, its spread is being closely tracked.
Global and national spread
Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that XFG represented 0 per cent of US cases in March, rising to 2 per cent in April, 6 per cent in May, and 14 per cent by late June. This puts it behind only two other variants in prevalence.
The variant has also been reported in several European nations. WHO figures indicate its global share rose from about 7 per cent in early May to 22.7 per cent by late June, spanning at least 38 countries.
⚠️ BREAKING: COVID-19 Cases Rising in 25 US States, Including California, Florida, and Texas, Signaling Onset of 'Summer Wave' pic.twitter.com/rkICSOKUkV
In India, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog) recorded 163 confirmed cases of XFG by the end of June.
Symptoms and health impact
So far, XFG does not appear to cause symptoms different from or more severe than those seen with other Omicron strains. Variants like XFG can develop when a person is infected with two versions of the virus simultaneously, allowing genetic material to mix.
Reported symptoms include:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or breathing difficulty
Sore throat
Nasal congestion or runny nose
New loss of taste or smell
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
The CDC advises immediate medical help for chest pain, confusion, difficulty staying awake, or pale/blue lips, skin, or nail beds.
Expert assessment and vaccination guidance
WHO and expert evaluations confirm that:
Public health risk remains low
No evidence of increased severity
Current vaccines continue to protect against symptomatic and severe illness
Precautionary measures
Health authorities recommend the following steps:
Get tested if symptoms appear
Stay home if unwell
Maintain good hygiene practices
Keep vaccinations and boosters up to date
While XFG is spreading quickly, current evidence suggests that with routine precautions and existing vaccination coverage, the impact can be managed effectively.
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