‘Stratus’ Covid strain is leaving its mark with a hoarse voice
Losing your voice? It might not just be a cold!
Just when Covid seemed to be fading into the background, a new strain has started making headlines in the UK. This is now known as Stratus; the variant is spreading rapidly and is accompanied by an unusual symptom: a hoarse voice.
According to the recent studies, there are two different versions of Stratus, namely XFG and XFG.3. Out of these two strains, XFG.3 is already responsible for around 30% of infections in England. Even though the strain is growing rapidly, the experts are yet to be alarmed. They remind us that viruses naturally mutate and adapt over time, and Stratus is just another chapter in Covid’s evolving story.
Dr Alex Allen from the UK Health Security Agency reassured the public that while Stratus is being closely monitored, there’s no evidence that it makes people sicker than earlier strains.
WHO’s Response:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has placed Stratus on its list of “variants under monitoring.” Globally, XFG is growing faster than many other strains, including the recent Nimbus variant (NB.1.8.1).
However, one piece of good news is that the WHO has labeled it as a low-risk strain, stating that current data do not indicate more severe illness, hospitalizations, or deaths.
Symptoms to Watch For
So, how do you know if you’ve caught Stratus Covid strain? The tell-tale sign is a hoarse, raspy voice. This sets it apart from previous strains like Nimbus, which was known for causing razor-blade-like sore throats.
Other than this vocal change, Stratus does not appear to cause more severe symptoms compared to other Omicron variants. Even in Southeast Asia, where XFG is spreading widely, no unusual increase in disease severity has been reported.
Is It Dangerous?
While Stratus Covid strain spreads quickly, WHO reports that its ability to evade immunity is only slightly higher than other circulating variants, which means it isn’t dramatically different in terms of risk. Experts stress that there’s no extra public health threat compared to existing Omicron lineages.
Do Vaccines Still Work?
Here’s some reassuring news: COVID vaccines continue to work well against the Virus, protecting people from both symptomatic and severe disease. WHO believes the risk of vaccine evasion is low, though more studies are underway.
Still, some doctors point out that mutations in Stratus’s spike protein could make it better at dodging antibodies from past infections or vaccinations. According to Dr Kaywaan Khan, this might give it a slight advantage, but vaccines are still expected to provide solid protection.
Stratus may be the latest Covid strain to hit the spotlight, but experts agree there’s no need for panic. Its standout symptom, a hoarse voice, makes it unusual, yet it doesn’t seem to cause more severe illness. With vaccines holding firm, the focus remains on careful monitoring rather than alarm.
