A new Covid sub-variant sweeping the United States is beginning to cause concern. There have been cases of XBB 1.5, which mutated from the Omicron strain, reported in several countries including the UK.
Experts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) say that XBB.1.5, which has been nicknamed the “Kraken” sub-variant, is not currently a variant of concern in the UK. However, cases are still known to have been recorded in Britain.
Omicron was the variant behind the sharp rise in hospital admissions in the UK last winter – and still remains highly transmissible. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said its seen no indication XBB.1.5 is more severe than other strains, but it is concerned by how transmissible it could be
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What are the symptoms of the Kraken sub-variant?
The symptoms of Covid confirmed by the NHS have been expanded since the beginning of the pandemic to include a range of cold-like symptoms. The original list of three main symptoms - persistent cough, loss of taste and smell and fever or high temperature - has made way to include nine other signs which are common signs of other respiratory infections too.
The full list of symptoms is now:
a new, continuous cough
a fever or high temperature
loss of or change to smell or taste
shortness of breath
feeling tired or exhausted, lack of energy
muscle aches or pains
headache that lasts longer than usual
blocked or runny nose
sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
loss of appetite
diarrhoea
feeling sick or being sick
Dr Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at the UKHSA, said: “Through our genomic surveillance we continue to see the evolution of variants in the Omicron family. UKHSA is constantly monitoring the situation and working to understand the implications for public health.
“Vaccination remains our best defence against future COVID-19 waves, so it is still as important as ever that people take up all the doses for which they are eligible as soon as possible.”
At present, everyone aged five and above can get the first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. People aged 16 and over, and some children aged 12 to 15, can also have a booster dose.
Some people, including those aged 50 years or over, those at higher risk or who are pregnant, and frontline health and social care workers, will be offered a seasonal booster.
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