A leading Dublin immunologist has warned that the new Kraken Covid variant is likely to soon become the "dominant strain" in Ireland.
Variant XBB.1.5, known as Kraken, has been deemed "concerning" by health officials in recent weeks. According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre., less than five cases of the virus have been found in Ireland.
Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College Dublin Kingston Mills has warned that the Kraken Covid-19 variant is "highly transmissible", and that it may spread quickly here in the community like it has in America. Professor Mills told RTE's Morning Ireland: "It's already in Ireland and the rest of Europe at low level here right now, but it will increase it's likely to become the dominant variant here as well.
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Prof Mills explained: "The big issue around it is that it's quite different to Omicron. So people who've got infected with the original Omicron are less likely to be protected through immunity generated." He also went on to reassure people that Covid-19 vaccines are still working against the new Kraken variant, especially vaccines that specifically are designed to protect against subvariants.
XBB.1.5 is a mutated version of Omicron XBB, a strain that was first detected in India in August. The Kraken variant has a transmission rate that is 113% higher than other variants that are found in Europe.
Prof Mills is also urging those who are eligible to receive Covid vaccines to ensure that the get them, including any boosters. He said: "It is advisable for people to go ahead and get vaccinated if they haven't got their booster already."
According to experts, the new variant which is a subvariant of Omicron is able to replicate itself more easily. Symptoms caused by Kraken are said to be similar to those caused by Omicron, which includes a fever, runny nose, coughing, sore throat, headache, muscle pain and fatigue.
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