Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Mens Health, Vice and Radio Times. Paul Hunteris a professor in medicine at the University of East Anglias Norwich Medical School. At the moment, scientists think that XBB.1.5 isnt more likely to cause serious disease in one individual, compared to previous variants. articles a month for anyone to read, even non-subscribers! Current data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that the XBB.1.5 strain makes up more than 60% of current cases in the U.S. But, in January, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), halted its authorization of Evusheld until further notice in response to data that showed it was not effective against the Omicron subvariants currently circulating. Its spike proteins, which have mutated significantly. Endemic is a disease that is still around but at a more manageable level, without causing spikes in deaths, for example. The XBB.1.5 S protein was also found to be highly resistant to neutralisation antibodies elicited by breakthrough infection with the BA.2/BA.5 sub-variants. Sneezing (53%) 5. Anything that makes the virus more transmissible can often lead to an increase in hospitalisations of vulnerable people. Flu viruses do this all the time, says Dr. Roberts. It is possible a new generation of boosters could be produced, just like last years bivalent boosters. This is NOT to say that the vaccine is not effective, just that the bivalent boosters may not be more effective than the original monovalent booster vaccine. Symptoms of the XBB.1.15, or Kraken, variant of COVID-19 have so far been reported as similar to those of Omicron. Evusheld was the only authorized treatment given to immunocompromised people who did not respond to vaccination to prevent them from getting sick. Express. Can you pass on COVID-19 if youre testing negative? That makes it more efficient at spreading and infectious. However, because XBB.1.5 is much more transmissible than the coronavirus variants weve seen before, there are fears it could spread to many more people. Covid symptoms have changed a great deal over the course of the pandemic (Photo: Reuters) And with more people infected, theres more chance a number of them could get seriously ill. [Originally published:January 18, 2023. Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Absolutely, says Rossman. "You cannot tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 by symptoms alone because some of the symptoms are the same," the agency shares on its website, advising Americans to immediately get tested to determine if they are infectious to others. Recent research suggests that bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccines provide some level of protection against these newer variants and better protection compared to earlier versions of COVID-19 vaccines. Recent mutations of COVID-19 have led to less severe disease. What's different with XBB.1.5 COVID variant? The kraken variant is a descendent of the XBB variant, nicknamed gryphon. 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The new Covid-19 subvariants Kraken and Orthrus are considered highly transmissible and the Public Health Ministry is urging people with underlying conditions and the elderly to get vaccinated. The uptake of booster vaccines has been low.. According to the CDC, these are potential symptoms to monitor if you believe you are sick: Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing. Being sick and experiencing a chronic cough, elevated fever, sore throat or a runny nose should prompt you to get a COVID-19 test to ensure you are not contagious. But now it has a bigger problem: farmers are revolting against restrictions on how they repair complex equipment. There are still many unknown variables. At the moment, there is very little data to be exactly sure, but the WHO says there are signs the variant could be one of the most antibody-resistant variants to date. In a statement issued by the global health body -- The World Health Organization (WHO), they have deemed the XBB.1.5 variant, aka Kraken variant as the most transmissible version of the Omicron variant to date and also warned the countries that they must immediately consider recommending masks for risky situations, like flights, or any other enclosed places where people gather in. DBenitostock - Getty Images. pic.twitter.com/1Ux8LNHwUu nychealthy (@nycHealthy) January 13, 2023. It has been named the most contagious strain of any COVID-19 variant by the World Health Organization (WHO) thus far. We dont need lockdowns or anything like that. So far, official government data has not shown a significant rise in coronavirus infections in England. Learn how to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine through UC Davis Health. It may not mean anything different, except that this is another way the virus can mutate and something to keep an eye on.. Even with an increase in cases, the numbers have been lower than with previous surges, and at this point, the virus has mutated to become milder, Dr. Roberts says. Jeremy Rossman is the honorary senior lecturer in virology at the University of Kent. The picture in the UK looks very similar. And these do help you from spreading the virus to other people, but they dont really help protect yourself from the virus. Another team of researchers has also stated that the virus is more likely to infect those who are vaccinated. The small sign of lung cancer you can see on your right hand [INFORMER] Dr Ranj warns any 'accidents with dribbling' urine may be cancer sign [EXPERT] The plant-based supplement that could slash visceral fat [INSIGHT]. Is it more dangerous? Mutations at this site are known to have helped the virus escape detection by the immune system even in its earliest variants in the pandemic. If you've recently recovered from a COVID-19 infection last fall, your earned immunity against this new virulent strain may not be as protective as you think. In a study, conducted by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) the XBB.1.5 subvariant is currently spreading 12.5 percent faster than other variants in the US. Cough no phlegm (50%) 7. 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Blige talks 'Power Book II: Ghost', Trump Jr. accuses Biden of using TiKTok as scapegoat to distract from family's ties to China. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. The primary target organ of Delta was the lung. Symptoms also include sneezing a cough with or without phlegm, a headache, hoarse voice, muscle pains As the United States enters a fourth year of COVID-19, there is a new variant called XBB.1.5. Which Subscription Will You Cancel First? Blocked nose (56%) 4. Although no official data has come out regarding early infection signs of the new variant, as it is similar to Omicron, many of its early symptoms will be similar. Now we have bivalent boosters that are even betterthats very important., Whats more, antiviral COVID medications such as Paxlovid and remdesivir should still be effective against XBB.1.5, Young says. XBB.1.5 was nicknamed "Kraken" by some scientists online who were noticing its rapid spread. It's important to note CDC officials haven't named any particular group of symptoms as being directly associated with the XBB.1.5 variant like other variants before it, any combination or severity of common COVID-19 symptoms is possible in new infections. The parental XBB, which made headlines after causing a wave of infections in Singapore last year, is notable for its ability to evade the human immune system using a mutation at a site on its spike protein known as 486. According to the CDC, these are potential symptoms to monitor if you believe you are sick: Fever Body chills Chronic cough Headache Sore throat Nasal A new Covid variant has been detected in Australia after spreading rapidly from the US. And how will it affect Chinas Covid outbreak? We use the latest interactive tools, graphics, live webinars and events, interviews, medical imagery, and more. What does it mean for you? Try your first 6 issues for just 9.99 when you subscribe to BBC Science Focus Magazine. College of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Battling Barriers, Bias to Retain and Recruit STEM Talent, Building Community to Benefit Physics Students, Commencement Schedule and Graduation Celebrations, College of Agricultural and Environmental Studies, College of Biological Sciences Events Calendar, College of Letters and Science Events Calendar, Graduate School of Management Events Calendar, Robert Arneson: Serious Ideas Behind that Humor, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms are similar to the prior strains, 9 things weve learned about COVID-19 long haulers so far, UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education. As signified by the X in its name, XBB.1.5 (and its ancestor XBB) came about through a recombination of sub-variants BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75. There are currently too many unknowns regarding who is more likely to get long COVID, but the risk of developing this chronic condition after infection is very real. Moreover, the team also realised that, as of December 2022, XBB.1.5 was rapidly outcompeting BQ.1.1, the predominant lineage in the United States. However, she notes that detecting Written by Satata Karmakar |Published : January 18, 2023 11:01 AM IST. 'Kraken', the latest variant of Covid-19. He adds: I see people wearing surgical masks. Another study that has not been peer-reviewed suggests that people previously infected with the virus and who have received three or four doses of an mRNA COVID vaccine (such as Moderna or Pfizer) are still likely not to have the immunity needed to guard them against an XBB.1.5 infection. That said, there have been increases in hospitalizations in the Northeast, he explains, adding that this may be because there are more people getting infected, in general, including those who are older and more prone to infection, severe disease, and death from COVID-19. CDC uses viral genomic surveillance to quickly identify and track COVID-19 variants, and acts upon these findings to protect the publics health. Last, you could end up with long COVID. And while it likely wont skirt immunity completely, the variant could dodge some of our defenses thanks to a mutational boost. More widely, the CDCs COVID symptoms to look out for are fever or chills, difficulty breathing, fatigue, body aches and headaches, loss in taste or smell, nausea, and diarrhea. It may end up reappearing seasonally, like most of our viruses do. Here is the good news. "Being up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccine, including the last updated bivalent booster, is the best way to protect yourself from severe COVID-19, including the XBB.1.5 strain," Dr. Brown says. Gryphon caused large outbreaks in Asia this past fall. The first data on 'Kraken' were reported in the United States, 'Kraken' is estimated to have mild symptoms, as do most other strains. 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