CASES of a new ‘Frankenstein’ Covid variant – feared to super contagious – have quadrupled in a matter of weeks, officials warn.
Data from the UK Security Agency (UKHSA) shows the variant, dubbed ‘Stratus’, has become the dominant Covid strain in .
Making up 10 per cent of all cases in May, the variant accounted for 40 per cent of all infections by mid June – just three weeks later.
Experts warn Stratus could be more infectious than previous Covid variants, as it has mutations that help the virus dodge our ‘s defences.
Known scientifically as XFG, is what is known as a Frankenstein or “recombinant”; strain – when a person gets infected with two Covid strains at once that combine to become a new hybrid variant.
Two versions of Stratus are currently in circulation: XFG and a spin-off XFG. 3.
Prof Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, told MailOnline both are “rapidly spreading”;.
“The increased competitiveness of XFG and XFG.3 is likely due to new spike mutations which make these variants more able to evade the immune response,”; he said.
“Given that immunity to Covid is waning in the population due to a decline in uptake of the and the reduction of Covid infections in recent months, more people will be susceptible to infection with XFG and XFG.3.
“This could lead to a new wave of infection but it’s difficult to predict the extent of this wave.”;
UKHSA wrote in its recent report: “In sequenced [Covid-19] samples, the most prevalent lineages were XFG and its sub-lineages.”;
But it’s worth noting that the report showed overall Covid cases falling compared to recent weeks.
The (WHO) also announced it was keeping an eye on Stratus.
In a recent report, it designated it as a “variant under monitoring with increasing proportions globally”;, now accounting for 22 per cent of cases recorded across the world.
The health watchdog estimated it would likely become the dominant global strain soon.
Stratus is a combination of the LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 Covid variants.
When comparing Stratus to the previously dominant JN1 variant, the WHO said “distinct mutational profiles in the spike protein can be identified”;.
The variant may better at evading our immune defences, it suggested.
But WHO officials noted: “Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by XFG is evaluated as low at the global level.
“Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease.”;
Stratus symptoms
By now, we’re all familiar with common Covid symptoms, such as a high temperature, coughing, loss of taste or smell and shortness of breath.
Experts say Stratus could be causing a telltale symptom that differs from other variants.
Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder ofHannah London Clinic, toldCosmopolitan UK: “One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.
“Though the symptoms manifest differently and vary from person to person, the symptoms of Stratus tend to be mild to moderate.
“Regardless of whether the symptoms mimic a cold or flu, testing continues to be the critical step in eliminating the possibility of a infection.”;
