What you need to know about the new COVID variant, omicron XBB.1.16

A new COVID variant XBB.1.16, or “Arcturus,” at least 34 countries Including UK.

Arcturus is a subvariant of omicron and was first detected in India in 2000. January 2023.

the current April 17ththe latest date that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported data on this variant in the UK, 105 cases of Arcturus had been sequenced. Great Britain5 Britons who tested positive for Arcturus is dead.

It’s important to note that only a small fraction of COVID infections undergo gene sequencing, so Arcturus cases could be much higher. 2.3% of the sequence in England.

Meanwhile, Arcturus has been steadily increasing in the US in recent weeks, More than 10 The number of newly confirmed COVID cases as of the end of April.

However, the variant was the most dominant in indiawas recording 61% of global sequences of Arcturus as of mid-April. The number of cases in India has increased significantly in the past month.Country records over 10,000 COVID cases daily, Arcturus makes up about two-thirds of all cases. Fortunately, this wave is now decline.

Nevertheless, Arcturus variant of interest by the World Health Organization. So what do we know about this variant, and should we be concerned?

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Another new COVID variant is spreading – here’s what we know about Omicron BA.4.6.

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Where did Arcturus come from?

XBB.1.16 is a descendant of XBB, a recombinant Omicron strain, meaning it contains genetic material from two different variants.Specifically, XBB is Two BA.2 substrains: BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75.

XBB has shown to be more contagious than previous variants. bypass pre-existing immunity From vaccinations and previous infections.

Arcturus is very closely related XBB.1.5also known as Kraken.

Compared to its parent strain XBB, Arcturus 3 additional mutations Spike proteins: E180V, F486P, and K478R. This is the protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) that allows it to bind to and infect cells.

Arcturus is most contagious These additional mutations may explain why.

of typical symptoms COVID includes fever, cough, runny nose, loss of taste and smell. However, an Indian doctor reports: Symptoms of conjunctivitis For Arcturus-infected children, this was not commonly seen in previous waves of COVID.

What about vaccine protection?

COVID vaccine is spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, spike protein mutations the vaccine works.

We do not yet have data on vaccine effectiveness against Arcturus. but, Recent research We found that antibody responses generated against closely related strains XBB and XBB.1 among vaccinated or previously infected people were significantly lower than against other variants.

As such, XBB variants may threaten current COVID vaccines and treatments. Importantly, however, vaccines still likely offer good protection against severe disease.

More research is needed to see how Arcturus responds to vaccines, but scientists continue new vaccine It may offer stronger protection against new variants.

Omicron continues to evolve

Omicrons were first detected in Late 2021 It continues to evolve and new sub-variants emerge.Arcturus is one of them about 600 detected to date.

This is expected in a highly vaccinated population. New variants naturally evolve to evade existing defenses.those stocks with competitive advantage – that is, greater contagiousness and ability to evade an immune response – become dominant. Arcturus could spur an increase in cases in the UK and elsewhere.

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COVID variants: Could new variants evolve that are dangerous for pets and livestock?

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However, no major concerns. Scientists will continue to monitor Arcturus, but there is no evidence to suggest so at this stage. more serious than the previous variant. In addition, it is now well protected against vaccines and natural infections.

That said, the continued evolution of COVID and the emergence of new strains such as Arcturus are reminders that the virus is still with us.For those who are eligible to continue boosterit is important to keep these up to date.

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