A new variant of coronavirus which was behind a surge of infections in India has been linked to 50 cases in the UK.
Named Arcturus and also known as XBB.1.16, the strain is the most recent Omicron sub-variant. It was first discovered in January, and could potentially be 1.2 times more infectious than previous sub-variants, reports the Daily Record.
Although the new variant has not resulted in any deaths, the World Health Organisation has confirmed it's been identified in 22 countries so far, including the UK, USA, Australia and Singapore. An outbreak of Arcturus in India has resulted in the reintroduction of face masks in public places within some states.
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Data from variant trackers indicates that the UK has sequenced nearly 50 samples of Arcturus. Maria Van Kerkhove who is an infectious disease epidemiologist from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the variant is 'one to watch' and says the situation is being monitored.
Dr Connor Bamford from the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine at Queen's University Belfast spoke to BelfastLive and explained what is known so far about the new variant, including its symptoms and the potential impact of booster jabs against the strain.
What is the Arcturus variant?
Dr Bamford said: "Arcturus is a name that some people have given to the last variant of SARS-CoV-2 (that causes Covid). The scientific name is XBB.1.16 and it is a mix of two Omicron variants that were previously circulating."
What are its symptoms?
According to the expert, symptoms are "likely mostly similar to before with most people exhibiting mild cold-like symptoms but with the capacity to cause severe lung infection in vulnerable people". He added: "There is also the very real risk of long Covid. For XBB.1.16, some have noted conjunctivitis (sticky, crusty eyes) in kids."
How many cases have been discovered in the UK?
According to the UKHSA, a total of 66 sequences of the new variant have been recorded in the UK up to 11 April.
Will booster vaccines prove effective?
Dr Bamford said: "Current booster vaccines should be helpful against this variant as will previous recent infection. As covid is not going away, vaccination (including boosters) offers the best protection from infection and disease, especially if vulnerable (such as the elderly)."
How concerned should we be about this new variant?
"This should be a slight concern but what I feel more concerning is that even between waves Covid does not go away and I feel we do not have a strong enough plan in place to safeguard the population across the year," Dr Bamford said. "We need more investment in surveillance of the virus, next-generation vaccines, and better treatments for the vulnerable in the community and in hospital."
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