As the pandemic continues to evolve, the highly contagious "Arcturus" variant has raised concerns. The appearance of this new strain coincides with the beginning of the allergy season, which can cause some confusion due to the appearance of a new symptom - conjunctivitis.
Arcturus variants: a brief overview
The Arcturus variant, also known as XBB.1.16, is an Omicron subvariant that has been monitored by the World Health Organization since March 22. The variant has been confirmed in about 20 countries and has been described as "of concern" due to its increased contagiousness and potentially higher pathogenicity.
New symptoms: conjunctivitis
Of particular interest to the Arcturus variant is a new covid symptom - conjunctivitis, often accompanied by a sensation of itching. This new symptom can be particularly confusing because it overlaps with the allergy season. In countries like India, where cases of the Arcturus variant are on the rise, itchy or "sticky" eyes are most common in children. However, experts say this variant does not appear to cause more severe disease than earlier coronavirus strains.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has detected the Arcturus variant
In addition, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has also detected this variant of the virus in China. On April 15, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced the latest situation of the new crown virus infection epidemic in the country. Compared with the data released on April 8, from April 7 to April 13, 124 new cases (a total of 21 clades) of local key variants were detected. Among them, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention detected 15 cases of XBB.1.16 and 2 cases of XBB.1.16.1 for the first time, indicating that this variant of the virus has also entered the mainland.
Impact of the number of cases
The Arcturus variant has caused a surge in the number of cases in parts of the world, including India. Although this strain has been detected in the United States, it has not yet caused a large number of cases. However, experts warn that the strain "may become more prominent in the coming weeks." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Arcturus variant accounted for 7.2% of all coronavirus cases in the United States in the week of April 9, up from 3.9% the previous week.
Precautions
Although the overall incidence of diseases such as respiratory infections, including Covid, has declined, health experts still stress the importance of following preventive measures. These include frequent hand washing, keeping a distance from someone who is sick, and seeking prompt medical attention if you feel unwell or have COVID symptoms.
As the pandemic evolves and new strains emerge, it's important to stay vigilant and stay informed about the latest developments. By following recommended precautions and staying up to date, we can all contribute to the safety and health of our own and our communities.