Cases of new 'Frankenstein' Covid strain 'rapidly' rising - what is known so far
Covid XFG, or 'stratus' as it is also known, is a descendant of the Omicron variant and was first detected back in January 2025.
It has also been referred to as a "Frankenstein" or "recombinant" strain.
Today, WHO's Scientific Advisory Group on the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a group convened by WHO, released a report on the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the #COVID19 pandemic. For this report, SAGO reviewed peer-reviewed papers and reviews, as well as… pic.twitter.com/qosY4YCMcU
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) June 27, 2025
"This means it emerged when a person was infected with two Covid strains at once which then became a new hybrid variant," The Mirror explained.
Reports of the new variant are "growing rapidly", according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and it is showing some signs of "additional immune evasion" compared to others.
The WHO has placed Covid stratus "under monitoring" due to the rise in cases worldwide.
It is one of seven COVID-19 variants currently being monitored, along with the NB.1.8.1 strain, which is the dominant variant worldwide.
The coming COVID-19 Winter Surge in Australia will show the world where we are actually headed for..what is happening in South-Eats Asia and East Asia are just the 'preludes'...watch how NB.1.8.1 spawns are evolving including PQ.1, PQ.2 and even sub-lineages like PE.1.
— Thailand Medical News (@ThailandMedicaX) June 4, 2025
However, the WHO stated that the risk posed by the new variant was "low," and that approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be effective against it.
The world health experts, in a recent risk evaluation, said: "Several countries in the South-East Asia Region have reported a simultaneous rise in new cases and hospitalisations, where XFG has been widely detected.
"Current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness or deaths than other variants in circulation."
The WHO added: "The available evidence on XFG does not suggest additional public health risks relative to the other currently circulating Omicron descendent lineages."
Covid Stratus has already been detected in 38 different countries around the world.
The WHO added: "The detection of XFG is increasing across several countries in various regions that are consistently sharing SARS-CoV-2 sequences with stable to slightly increasing trend in viral activity and hospitalizations."
The new Stratus strain of Covid is currently the "most prevalent" in the UK, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Health organisations are yet to list any symptoms unique to Covid Stratus.
However, common symptoms of other COVID-19 variants, according to the NHS, include:
High temperature or shivering (chills)
New, continuous cough (this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours)
Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
Shortness of breath
Feeling tired or exhausted
Aching body
Headache
Sore throat
Blocked or runny nose
Loss of appetite
Diarrhoea
Feeling sick or being sick
COVID-19 vaccines are available in the UK, and are usually offered on the NHS in spring and early winter.
The vaccine is available for those:
Aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 17 June, 2025)
Aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
Live in a care home for older adults
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The NHS said: "The COVID-19 vaccines are offered because viruses change and protection fades over time. It's important to top up your protection if you're eligible."
The vaccine helps:
Reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms
Recover more quickly if you catch COVID-19
Reduce your risk of having to go to hospital or dying from COVID-19
Protect against different types of COVID-19 virus
Eligible people can book in for a vaccination via the NHS website, the NHS App, or by attending a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site.
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