“New COVID-19 Variant XBB.1.16 (Arcturus) Under WHO Observation: Symptoms, Countries Affected, and Origins”

The COVID-19 pandemic erupted in 2020. Now, more than three years later, the new variants They keep appearing and worrying experts. It is the case of XBB.1.16which is already under observation by the World Health Organization, WHO, according to a latest report.

This variant, also called Arcturuswas first detected in January 2023. Two months later, on March 22, the WHO considered it a “variant under monitoring”, due to the increase in infections caused by the variant. XBB.1.16.

So far, the WHO has recorded Arcturus cases in 33 countries. Those with the highest incidence, in order from most to least, are: India, the United States, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Brunei, Japan and the United Kingdom. In addition, the organization does not rule out that this variant will reach other countries.

Regarding its symptomatology, it has been described XBB.1.16 as a variant with similar symptoms to previous ones. Despite being highly contagious, Arcturus is not yet considered by experts to be more severe than previous variants of COVID-19.

This new variant, XBB1.16 or Arcturus, is the result of the combination of the sublineages BA.2.10 and BA.2.75which in turn came from the Omicron variant, one of the most widespread coronavirus strains.