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News Topical, Digital Desk : Recently, a new type of Covid-19 variant has been seen in America, after which concern has increased. The XFG variant, which is commonly known as Stratus, is spreading rapidly throughout America as well as European countries.
The XFG variant was first detected in South-East Asia in January. According to a report by USA Today, by May, the number of cases of this variant was less than zero percent, but in June, there was a rapid increase in the number of cases of this variant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed that this variant is expected to account for up to 14 percent of cases by the end of June.
Cases started increasing since March
There was no case of XFG in the US till March but it started increasing gradually. It reached 2 percent in April, 6 percent by the end of May, 11 percent in early June and 14 percent by the end of June.
In which states has the new variant spread?
The CDC found that states such as Alabama, Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Texas continue to have high or very high levels of cases. Cases are also rising in other states, including Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Know about the new variant XFG
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), XFG is a variant that is a recombinant of the LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 lineages. The earliest sample was collected on 27 January 2025. In its June report, the WHO said that XFG has been monitored with increasing proportions globally.
Experts have said that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 is constantly changing. It is accumulating mutations in its genetic code over time. Therefore, new variants are expected to emerge.
Subhash Verma, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno, told USA Today that the variant's mutations may increase XFG's ability to evade immune responses. "There is currently no clear evidence that XFG causes more severe disease or significantly different symptoms than the earlier Omicron variant," Verma said.
What are the symptoms of XFG?
Symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, and nausea or vomiting.
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