2023-05-11 09:57:00
Omicron has not finished talking regarding him. A new variant of Covid-19, the XBB.1.16appeared in January in India and is under surveillance from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Nicknamed Arcturusin connection with the name of the brightest star in the constellation Bouvier, “it accounts for 4-5% of cases in North America and is marginal en Europe”reports virologist Bruno Lina, member of Covars (Committee for monitoring and anticipating health risks) with 20 minutes.
Coronavirus: a new, more transmissible variant
Even if it seems that this new variant circulates more moderately in the world, “Arcturus has been placed in the list of variants to follow (VOI)”, reports Public Health France on April 24, 2023. Very similar to XBB.1.5 (Kraken), the majority Omicron sub-lineage in France currently, however, this variant would have additional mutationswhich would make it even more transmissible and more resistant to vaccines.
However, scientists want to be reassuring. “There will be no epidemic wave. We are only witnessing the game of musical chairs of the variants”, affirms Bruno Lina with 20 minutes. He specifies: “In India, the vaccination coverage is not the same as in Europe. There have been fewer recalls and they were very often made with the initial strain and not BA 4 or BA 5.”
What are the symptoms of this Omicron variant?
According to Dr. Vipin Vashishtha, an Indian pediatrician, former head of the immunization committee of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the WHO Vaccine Safety Network, this variant would cause conjunctivitis, especially in children. It is characterized by a pink eye, without pus, but with “sticky” eyes. A high fever and a heavy cough are also symptoms that have been observed. by the expert since the arrival of the Arcturus variant.
Detected in mainland France and Guyana, Arcturus has been observed in Normandy, in the Center-Val-de-Loire, in the Grand-Est, in Île-de-France and in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. If to date, this only represents around 0.3% of contamination, according to Public Health France, it is still essential to protect yourself once morest it.
The most common symptoms of the Omicron variant
Like all other variants of Covid-19, this one is also susceptible lead to more hospitalizationsespecially in fragile populations – the elderly or those with comorbidities, in particular.
It is therefore essential to recognize the most common signals of this form of coronavirus. Relatively close to that of a severe cold, we can cite in particular:
- tiredness ;
- runny nose ;
- sneezing;
- sore throat;
- headaches.
As a reminder, more often than not, these signs appear immediately following contamination, following an average incubation period of three days – it is therefore shorter than for the previous variants. They may then be followed by other manifestations, such asa dry cough, body aches, night sweats, nausea, brain fog, or even rashes (essentially observed in children).
Finally, it should be remembered that patients are contagious as soon as they contract the virus, including during their incubation period, that is to say even before the appearance of the first signals. It is therefore essential to scrupulously respect barrier gestures and get tested if you are in contact. As for vaccination, it limits the circulation of the virus and, above all, the risk of ending up in hospital.
Barrier gestures: how to protect yourself from Arcturus?
Among the actions to know to avoid any contamination with Covid-19, we find regular hand washing with soap or hydroalcoholic solution. It is also recommended to cough or sneeze into your elbow and use a single-use handkerchief. Avoid hugs and greet without shaking hands.
Obviously, wearing a mask is still recommended in closed places (shops, public transport, etc.). As a reminder, the health authorities and the medical profession consider thatclose contact with a sick person may be enough to transmit the disease. Hence the importance of respecting daily barrier gestures if you are sick.
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