Some news reports have mentioned that XBB.1.16 infection causes a new symptom conjunctivitis, or pink eye though the WHO noted that this symptom was already known to be associated with Covid. See additional information. While the variant is circulating at. If somebody is doing all of that and we've also ruled out that there's anything else that may be a barrier for example, that they have thyroid issues or something then at that point, I would say that berberine may be supportive in their journey., But, Ring added, "I wouldn't say to keep eating quarter-pounders and berberine will just take the pounds off that's not going to happen. A new Covid variant is spreading in the U.S., but will it cause a surge in cases? It has spread most widely in India but has been found in 31 countries, including the United States. Arcturus, scientifically known as XBB.1.16, is a subvariant of omicron and was first found in India this January and was declared a variant of interest by the World Health Organization last month. Tracking covid cases, deaths: Covid-19 was the fourth leading cause of death in the United States last year with covid deaths dropping 47 percent between 2021 and 2022. Dr Connor Bamford, from the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental . Are Rapid COVID-19 Test Results Reliable? The Cleveland Clinic has more about berberine. individualized, wholistic care. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. But it is more contagious without doubt. It's an alkaloid compound that's found in a variety of plants, she explained. And that's primarily determined by your age, also by your degree of immunosuppression, so if you're a very immunosuppressed individual, that is clearly an issue. The virus has two ways of surviving, Mokdad said. COVID-19 has been linked to a higher risk of developing diabetes, which may have increased the total disease burden by 3% to 5%, according to a new. T he World Health Organization (WHO) is carefully monitoring a new Omicron subvariant that is driving a surge of new COVID-19 . And now this is again a common symptom. But there's something that has come back. This just indicates to us that the virus continues to evolve and it will continue to evolve because the virus is circulating pretty much unchecked, Van Kerkhove said. This year's observance organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in collaboration with the Secretariat, took place under the theme, Yoga for Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam ("the world is one family"). Further investigation and analysis are necessary to grasp the implications of this novel variant completely. Es falso que exista una "alerta sobre la nueva variante del coronavirus, llamada arcturus", como consultaron a elDetector por WhatsApp. The upward trend of cases warrants public health experts to remind the community on protective measures against the spread of disease, Bernadette Boden-Albala, MPH, the director and founding dean of the University of California Irvines Program in Public Health, told Medical News Today. One of the major concerns surrounding the Arcturus strain is its potential for increased transmissibility. While many of the previous strains of COVID-19 have all presented with classic symptoms of cough, congestion, body aches, and even loss of taste, there is a new strain called Arcturus, which can . RASCOE: So looking ahead, what should people be doing to keep themselves safe, you know, especially folks who are at a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID? Arcturus is a name that some people have given to the last variant of SARS-CoV-2 (that causes COVID19). Nicknamed Arcturus, and technically referred to as XBB.1.16, the strain is behind an estimated 18.2 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S., up from 7.4 percent in late April, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows. Accuracy and availability may vary. Whats the Difference Between Bacterial and Viral Infections? And while the effects of the new sub-variant vaccine are similar to the original COVID-19 illness, the virus itself has changed quite a bit and is better at evading the original vaccines. At the end of 2022, the UK, France and Spain no longer carried out contact-tracing, while the US and Canada were only doing so in a few cases. The WHO's weekly Covid update also mentions that no laboratory studies indicate the severity of the disease caused by XBB.1.16. Arcturus was first detected in a sample from January and has now been documented in 29 countries, according to the World Health Organization.. But in the U.S, the majority of Americans have some level of protection against COVID-19 through previous infection, vaccination or both. Ring said she wouldnt swap one for the other if someone is already prescribed a medication for any of these conditions. @FactsMatterRB explains: 29 Jun 2023 03:40:12 A nurse prepares a COVID-19 booster shot at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Dec 2, 2022. bear-keeper, the name given by the ancients to the brightest star in the constellation Bootes. It has mostly been documented in India, which is seeing a significant increase in coronavirus infections. XBB.1.16 doesnt appear to be making people sicker than earlier omicron strains, according to Dr. Mike Ryan, the executive director of the WHOs health emergencies program. Despite this, there are no reports of increased hospitalizations, ICU admissions, or deaths due to this variant. Together, the two strains account for about 11% of new cases, according to the CDC. Were always here for you. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Arcturus: What do we know about the new Covid variant? This reminds us once again that we are part of a global community, he said. The scientific name is XBB.1.16 and it is a mix of two Omicron variants that were previously . By the same token, a person could wind up with hypoglycemia if berberine lowers blood sugar on top of another prescribed diabetes medication, Ring said. But to what extent have countries let their guard down? Berberine also has its drawbacks. More than 80,000 skilled and compassionate caregivers in physician To my knowledge, were not seeing a different spectrum of symptoms or severity associated with this variant of interest, Ryan said during a media briefing last week. The country has recorded its biggest jump in Covid cases in a year. XBB.1.16, or "arcturus," was responsible for nearly 12% of new COVID-19 cases this week - up from 7% of infections last week and nearly 5% the week before that, according to data from the . XBB.1.16 is a descendant of the XBB subvariant, which itself formed when two strains of omicron subvariant BA.2 combined, according to the WHO. 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The availability and access to vaccines and boosters for free continues to exist. A July 2020 review in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy evaluated all of these effects on weight loss and obesity-related health problems, and concluded that berberine could be helpful. India, which is experiencing its highest number of Covid-19 infections in months, has reported most of the world's Arcturus infections since the variant was first detected in January. XBB.1.16 has been detected in 22 countries, including the United States. Taken together, available information does not suggest that XBB.1.16 has additional public health risk relative to XBB.1.5 and the other currently circulating Omicron descendent lineages, the organization reported. It has been reported that it is similar in profile to previous omicron sub-variants, however an additional mutation in the spike protein could Ieave it potential for increased infectivity and pathogenicity, said Hannah Newman, MPH, director of infection prevention at Lenox Hill Hospital. DEL RIO: You know, this strain is being monitored very carefully just because it's rapidly growing and now represents about 15% of strains isolated in the United States. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. The omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, known as "Arcturus," has been listed by the WHO as a variant under monitoring since March 22. What's going to happen? This is the most intensive safety monitoring ever conducted of any vaccines in Australia. The government can only hope that the Arcturus variant follows the trend among other recent strains, and is not as deadly as those that emerged at the start of the pandemic or face a chaotic scramble to halt its spread. A 2020 study found that of more than 200 children hospitalized with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, over 22% reported eye issues, including conjunctivitis. It is yet another offshoot of the globally-dominant Omicron Covid variant. The organization said it plans to publish a risk assessment of arcturus in the coming days. protect the personal data of EU citizens when they are using the internet and browsing sites both inside and Is Supplement Berberine Really 'Nature's Ozempic'? The UK government shut down the majority of its Covid surveillance programmes in the spring of 2022, even after experts warned that such a move might well be premature. The Arcturus strain has a unique set of mutations that differentiate it from other strains of COVID-19. XBB.1.16 certainly wont be the last new variant that emerges. June 30, 2023, 6:00 a.m. The risk evaluation is very different between a 25-year-old otherwise healthy individual and an 80-year-old, you know, individual with severe lung disease. The Arcturus strain was first identified in early 2023, and its name comes from its distinct genetic sequence, similar to the Omicron variant. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Ali Mokdad, a professor of global health at the University of Washington, said its still too early to predict what XBB.1.16 will do. A sign for a Covid-19 testing sits along a Manhattan street on March 09, 2023 in New York City. However, vaccines do not remain 100 per cent effective for ever. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy. We always start with all of the lifestyle things of nutrition, movement, getting sleep, managing stress, avoiding toxins, she said. Thank you so much for joining us. Not all U.S. presidents are missed once they leave the White House. While it is still too early to determine the effectiveness of current vaccines against the Arcturus strain, some experts believe that existing vaccines should still offer some level of protection. While the Arcturus variant has raised concerns about increased transmissibility and potential vaccine evasion, more research and data are needed to fully understand its impact. "It is causing increasing case counts in certain parts of the world, including India. Tags: Coronavirus, CDC, pandemic, public health. Pushing dangerous misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine's impact on reproductive health. In the meantime, you can reach out to us directly at the phone numbers listed below to get answers to your The latter would represent a major shift from previous strains, said Dr. Brian Labus, an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Public Health. These kinds of things highlight the importance of genomic surveillance, but a lot of countries, including our own, have let our guard down a bit, and we cant be sure what variants are around and what level of infection theyre causing until we see a significant outbreak.. (Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images). But this is an issue that, you know, I tell people, you still have a few days. The World Health Organization (WHO) is carefully monitoring a new Omicron subvariant that is driving a surge of new COVID-19 cases in India. XBB.1.5 became the dominant variant in the U.S. in February, just as cases were continuing to go down and have continued to go down ever since. Are there any symptoms associated with Arcturus that may be different from omicron and other variants? While it shares some similarities with the Omicron variant, it also has unique mutations that differentiate it from other strains of the virus. So I actually like it for people who have weight concerns. COVID-19: Is the Arcturus strain more dangerous than Omnicron & others. Households Used Governments Free At-Home COVID-19 Test Program. Furthermore, the virus continues to evolve, as evidenced by the World Health Organization's recent announcement. The Biden administration took another step this week to relax coronavirus precautions by easing COVID-19 vaccine rules for international travelers. We are diligently working on compliance to ensure your personal (Spencer Platt/Getty Images). Heres How It Can Lead to Multiple Sclerosis, CDC Warns About Return of MPox, Formerly Called Monkey Pox, Washing With These Types of Soaps Can Make You More Attractive to Mosquitoes. The subvariant is a close relative to XBB.1.5, which is the current dominant strain in the U.S. We're seeing increased transmission rates, so higher levels of infectivity with recent COVID-19 variants, but in general, they tend to be causing less severe disease in individuals, which is good news," explains Dr. Binnicker. Arcturus Therapeutics is a global late-stage clinical messenger RNA medicines and vaccines company focused on the discovery, . Experts say the new strain is highly contagious and can cause serious illness,. That is why it is important to get boosted with the new bivalent booster, which also targets multiple strains of SARS-CoV-2 including the omicron strain. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, keeps emerging because the virus mutates and copies itself as it spreads from person to person, creating new variants. Please get boosted.. Like the currently dominant XBB 1.5 variant of COVID-19, Arcturus retains the ability to cause severe illness. Well, something is changing. And among those over the age of 65, only 46% have received one bivalent booster. markets throughout almost a dozen states. The latest subvariant that causes COVID-19 is spreading rapidly, but the World Health Organization considers it to be no more dangerous than the other variations of the novel coronavirus now in circulation. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. "Respiratory viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, tend to decline in the spring and summer months, and that is what we're seeing in most parts of the U.S. right now.". This one has the oh-so-easy-to-remember name XBB.1.16 because when has the name of. Deaths from COVID-19 are the lowest theyve been since the pandemic was declared in March 2020. XBB.1.16, dubbed "Arcturus" by variant trackers, is very similar to U.S. dominant "Kraken" XBB.1.5 the most transmissible COVID variant yet, Maria Van Kerkhove, COVID-19 technical lead for. In high-impact settings, like public transit, hospitals, sport games and concerts, the extra layer of protection will protect you for various pathogens like COVID-19, flu, cold, etc. The XBB.1.16 subvariant, a member of the omicr Whenever you use an herbal supplement, really let your doctor know that you're doing this even though the supplements are over-the-counter. Again, nothing is changing. However, in our post-COVID world where restrictions are being lifted and prevention measures being loosened, its a good time to watch the numbers and think about being more vigilant with safety measures.. How to protect yourself from the new COVID-19 variant. A new omicron subvariant is gaining ground in the U.S. XBB.1.16, or arcturus, was responsible for nearly 12% of new COVID-19 cases this week up from 7% of infections last week and nearly 5% the week before that, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thank you for coming back to the program. In his video message for the event, the UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres reminded everyone that in a dangerous and divided world, the benefits of this ancient practice are . Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Arcturus Therapeutics Announces Second Quarter 2022 Financial Update and Pipeline Progress. Even if some mutations allow the virus to evade one aspect of immunity, the vaccine can still provide protection against other parts of the virus. The former vice president has become the Democratic front-runner with primary victories across the country. CDC: Arcturus Causing 1 in 5 COVID Cases Moderna this week asked the FDA to authorize its candidate for an updated coronavirus vaccine, which is expected to roll out in the fall. Arcturus. It would take some time to turn these trends around. Its the second most prominent strain circulating in the U.S., with XBB.1.5 remaining dominant. You may go to an event. This is a slight modification on what's currently circulating.. DEL RIO: Symptoms that we see with this variant include very high fever, cough, cold-like symptoms. Beginning Monday, April 10, wearing a face mask will no longer be required for patients and staff in most patient care areas on Mayo Clinic COVID-19 vaccine administration simplified, Science Saturday: COVID-19 the pandemic thats forever changed laboratory testing, Mayo Clinic to ease universal face mask requirement, Find Mayo Clinic research, innovation on Discoverys Edge, Regenerative biotherapeutics: Pivoting toward a new strategy for fighting disease. This is because the Arcturus variant has unique mutations that differ from other variants. The measures to prevent COVID-19 remain the same with the Arcturus sub-variant, said Newman. What happens over there can come over here fairly quickly. The TGA closely monitors reports of suspected side effects (also known as adverse events) to the COVID-19 vaccines. In . Bacterial and viral infections are transmitted in similar ways, but symptoms and treatments may vary depending on the cause of your infection. To be compliant, businesses like ours worldwide have to update their systems and processes. The XBB.1.16 has an additional mutation in the spike protein that could potentially increase its pathogenicity. Last week, the World Health Organization deemed XBB.1.16 a variant of interest as it continues to spread and outcompete other variants. A new study found that the effects of severe long COVID may cause worse fatigue and quality of life than other serious health conditions, such as. It is concerning that there are so many Omicron subvariants circulating in our communities, but it [should] be part of our daily routine to wear masks and practice safe distancing when one of the subvariants pick up steam, she added. However, it is unlikely to be a major cause for concern since it does not appear to result in more severe illness than XBB.1.5., WHO designated Arcturus a variant of interest but not a variant of concern.. Although COVID-19 rates in the U.S. are relatively low, health experts recommend people remain vigilant in using these preventive measures: Learn more about Mayo Clinic Laboratories. A big message here is this is not like a new delta or a new omicron, Dowdy says. It also could help control blood pressure. Number two, it has one additional mutation in that spike protein that makes it even more contagious than omicron.. This strain appears to lead to higher fevers than other omicron-related strains.