MOSCOW, April 21, by Vladislav Strekopytov. A subvariant of the omicron, the Arcturus coronavirus that caused the recent COVID-19 outbreak in India, has reached us. About its features and unique symptoms that its predecessors did not have, see .
Another mutant
Since the beginning of April, India has seen a sharp increase in the incidence of COVID-19, associated with a sub-variant of the «omicron» XBB 1.16, named «arcturus» after one of the brightest stars in the northern hemisphere.
The Omicron strain, which replaced the delta at the end of 2021, is extremely susceptible to mutations — it has already produced more than 600 branches. And last autumn, a variant of HBB («griffin») appeared in Asia, which is a recombination of sub-lines BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75. This is the first officially registered coronavirus that combines the genetic information of two branches of SARS-CoV-2.
«Gryphon» was immediately dubbed «the most threatening option.» There were reasons: with his arrival in Europe, mortality due to coronavirus in Germany, France and Italy increased one and a half to two times. It was saved by the fact that HVV turned out to be no less prone to mutations than its predecessors. It quickly disappeared, giving rise to new derivatives.
The most famous is the «kraken», or HVV.1.5. In the US, this sub-variant now accounts for up to 90 percent of all identified cases of COVID-19. Compared to the early strains of 2020-2021, it is easier to tolerate, practically does not cause severe complications, but is much more contagious.
At the end of February, another descendant of the «griffin» appeared in India — the variant ХВВ.1, which from the beginning of April passed into the form ХВВ.1.16. By this point, the country's rate of increase in cases was 100 percent per week.
Interestingly, the peak of the spread occurred during an extremely hot period. Average daily temperatures in most of the Hindustan peninsula exceeded 34 degrees Celsius. This once again confirms the conclusions of scientists that seasonality is not important for SARS-CoV-2.
The habits of the «star «guest
«Arcturus» has already been recorded in 29 countries. Most cases are in India, Singapore and Australia. The medical services of these countries note that the XBV.1.16 subvariant has a higher transmission rate than the previous strains. More often than before, children get sick. At the same time, they have a completely new symptom that was not previously characteristic of COVID-19 — conjunctivitis, or «pink eye», accompanied by itching.
The World Health Organization has declared XBB.1.16 «under surveillance». This is the least dangerous category compared to the other two — «of interest» (which included «kraken») and «of concern».
At the same time, the WHO statement emphasizes that the status of the option can be changed if signs of increased transmission, severity of symptoms, or if it appears to be able to evade antibodies.
Scientists from the University of Tokyo conducted a study of the genetic structure of the HBV.1.16 subvariant and identified numerous mutations — including two substitutions in the S-protein that makes up the spike of the crown, with which the virus binds to the cells of the body. The authors believe that this makes Arcturus about 1.2 times more transmissible than Kraken, previously considered the most contagious Omicron variant.
According to the ZOE COVID Study, created by To track the manifestations of coronavirus infection, the most common symptoms of Arcturus are sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing and coughing without phlegm. At the same time, signs such as fever, loss of taste or smell did not get into the top 10.
Japanese scientists note that numerous genetic changes may be a manifestation of the ongoing adaptation of the virus, due to which it probably gained the ability to partially evade the neutralizing immunity formed by previous versions of the «omicron». But vaccinations, especially with a full course of vaccinations, including booster doses, according to the authors, should provide some protection.
«Small wave «
WHO experts expect further distribution of HVV.1.16 around the world. They even talk about a possible “small wave” of COVID-19 associated with this sub-option.
“The spread will certainly be due to the fact that the virus is so contagious,” Anna Popova, head of Rospotrebnadzor, commented on the situation. Any small contact leads to infection and, most likely, the development of the disease.»
Despite the fact that the new variant is more contagious and can bypass the established immunity, Russian tests successfully detect it. According to the agency, four cases of Arcturus coronavirus infection have now been confirmed in the country. In all, the disease proceeds in a mild form. No anti-epidemic restrictions are required.
A surge in the incidence in Russia is predicted by the end of May. According to Popova, the healthcare system is ready for overload.