Latest news with #StratusVariant
The Independent
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Key symptom of the Covid stratus variant as UK cases rise
A new Covid strain, named Stratus, is circulating in the UK, with its XFG.3 variant accounting for 30 per cent of cases in England. Some experts suggest the Stratus variant is uniquely associated with giving people a hoarse voice, unlike other strains. Despite its prevalence, health experts from the UKHSA and the World Health Organisation are not concerned, stating it is normal for viruses to mutate. The World Health Organisation has designated XFG as a "variant under monitoring" and assesses its additional public health risk as low globally. Current data indicates that the Stratus variant does not lead to more severe illness or deaths, nor is it expected to reduce the effectiveness of existing vaccines.
The Independent
a day ago
- Health
- The Independent
Warning issued over highly infectious new Covid strain
The Stratus Covid -19 variant, which includes the XFG and XFG.3 strains, currently accounts for around 30 per cent of Covid-19 cases in England. A unique symptom associated with the Stratus variant is a hoarse voice, although its symptoms are generally considered mild to moderate. While some experts suggest Stratus may be able to evade immunity from previous infections or vaccinations, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates there is no evidence it causes more severe illness or reduces vaccine effectiveness. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified Stratus as a "variant under monitoring" but currently assesses its risk to global public health as low. Experts warned that declining population immunity, due to reduced booster uptake and fewer recent infections, could increase susceptibility to Stratus and potentially lead to a new wave of infections.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'Highly Contagious' New Covid Stratus Strain Has Become Dominant In The UK – Here's Its Most Distinctive Symptom
A new strain of Covid called XFG and nicknamed the Stratus variant has been spreading rapidly, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says. They describe the strain as a 'variant under monitoring (VUM).' The variant seems to be spreading quite quickly, which is partly why it's 'under monitoring.' It has come to account for 22.7% of cases worldwide in the week 26 May-1 June, the WHO said – up roughly three times from 7.4% four weeks prior. Using a logistics model, variant XFG was 'estimated to have the highestrelative growth advantage than co-circulating variants BA.3.2, NB.1, NB.1.8, NB.1.8.1, LF.9, XFH and XEC.25.1.' Yes. It has now become the dominant strain in the UK, per UKHSA. But overall, Covid cases are down in the UK. The WHO says variant XFG or Stratus does not seem to cause more severe symptoms than any other strains of Covid. 'Current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness or deaths than other variants in circulation,' they write. Speaking to Comopolitan UK, however, Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, said: 'One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.' The NHS shared that symptoms of Covid can also include: a high temperature or shivering a new, continuous cough – coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste shortness of breath feeling tired or exhausted an aching body a headache a sore throat a blocked or runny nose loss of appetite diarrhoea feeling sick or being sick. As Dr Khan points out, testing is key. The strain has spread very quickly, but the WHO don't currently think it's more severe than other forms of Covid. 'Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by XFG is evaluated as low at the global level,' they wrote. Covid rates have been decreasing in the UK recently and are described as being 'at baseline levels' in the government's most recent reports. Still, like all Covid and flu cases, vulnerable people (older people, very young people, and those with compromised immune systems) are more likely to get very sick from the disease. The WHO says, 'Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expectedto remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease.' Like all new strains of Covid, Stratus has a different structure than former variants. That can sometimes mean existing vaccines aren't able to target new forms of the virus as effectively as they could with the kinds they're built for. But people vaccinated against Covid are still far more likely to avoid the worst outcomes should they catch the new strain. Taking a test if you suspect Covid, and then isolating and/or taking other precautions like washing your hands and communal surfaces often can help to limit its spread. 'If you test positive, Stratus is highly contagious, and it is advised to stay home and isolate to avoid spreading to others,' Dr Khan told Cosmopolitan UK. Stay home and avoid people as much as possible if you are sick, the NHS says. Covering your mouth and nose with a mask, avoiding crowded indoor spaces, and letting friends, family, coworkers, and doctors know about your illness before meeting them can also help. New Covid Variant Nimbus Symptom May Show Up When You Swallow, Doctor Says 7 Hay Fever Symptoms That Could Actually Be Signs Of Covid Don't Wait — These Covid Symptoms Mean It's Time to See a Doctor
