By Anita McSorley
Another new Covid variant with unusual symptoms has been confirmed in Ireland, with experts warning it is spreading rapidly across the globe.
The strain, known as Stratus, includes sub-lineages XFG and XFG.3, and is being closely monitored by Ireland’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) due to its growing presence in recent weeks.
According to the latest data, confirmed Covid cases across all variants more than doubled in the past month, rising from 216 in a single week to 461 in the most recent week. Stratus now accounts for approximately 10% of weekly cases in Ireland.
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified Stratus as a “variant under monitoring”, urging health agencies worldwide to track its spread and potential impact.
While the new strain doesn’t appear to cause more severe illness, experts fear it may be more contagious, and its symptoms are catching many people off guard.
While older variants typically presented like a bad cold or flu, Stratus is now being linked to the unique symptom of giving people a hoarse voice.
Dr Kaywaan Khan from Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic told Cosmopolitan UK: “Unlike other variants, Stratus has certain mutations in the spike protein which could help it evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations. One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.” Dr Khan added that its symptoms tend to be mild to moderate in general.
People in Ireland experiencing hoarseness, fatigue or flu-like symptoms are being reminded that Covid could still be the cause.
Ireland’s public health guidelines remain the same: If you have any symptoms of Covid, stay at home until 48 hours after the symptoms are mostly or fully gone. You should also avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid.
The HSE is reminding the public of the wide range of Covid symptoms to look out for. These include:
fever (high temperature – 38C or above) – including having chills dry cough fatigue (tiredness) loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this could mean they’re completely gone or just different to normal nasal congestion (runny or blocked nose) conjunctivitis (also known as red eye or pink eye) sore throat headache muscle or joint pain (aches and pains) different types of skin rash nausea or vomiting diarrhoea chills dizziness shortness of breath or breathing difficulties loss of appetite confusion pain or pressure in the chest.
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