Arcturus is the latest Covid strain sparking concern after it caused a surge in infections in India.
Five people in the UK have died of the Arcturus strain of Covid, and at least 135 cases have been detected here.
The variant has also been found in at least 34 countries including the USA and Australia.
However, experts have not found evidence to suggest the subvariant is more severe than past strains.
The WHO first classified Arcturus as an “interesting variant” after a significantly increased number of Covid infections was detected in India.
What is the Arcturus variant?
Arcturus is the XBB.1.16 strain of the virus and is a sub-variant of Omicron.
The subvariant has a second mutational mutation in the spike protein, according to WHO, which has been shown to increase pathogenicity and infectivity in laboratory investigations.
The WHO has said it first detected Arcturus in January, before later designating it as a variant under monitoring on March 22.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo say Arcturus is around 1.2 times more contagious than XBB.1.5 [Kraken variant]. While Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s Covid technical lead, previously said: “It has one additional mutation in the spike protein which in lab studies shows increased infectivity as well as potential increased pathogenicity.”
Speaking at a press conference on March 29, Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist from WHO, said: “It’s been in circulation for a few months.
“We haven’t seen a change in severity in individuals or in populations, but that’s why we have these systems in place.
“It has one additional mutation in the spike protein, which, in lab studies, shows increased infectivity as well as potential increased pathogenicity.”
Is Arcturus in the UK?
According to the UK Health and Security Agency's final variant report, which was updated this month, the variant was already present in the UK.
Separate data gathered from variation trackers has shown that the UK has now sequenced around 50 samples of the Arcturus genus.
The variant hasn’t been spreading as fast in the UK as it has been in India.
Including the UK, the subvariant can also be found in more than 20 nations, such as Singapore, the US, Canada, and Australia.
What are the symptoms of Arcturus?
One or two days of steadily rising fever, headaches, body pains, abdominal discomfort, and sore throat are a few symptoms that have been noted.
Many people who have the subvariant infection also suffer conjunctivitis and watery eyes.
General Covid symptoms include a continous cough, a high temperature, a change in your sense of taste or smell, and shortness of breath.
