A new subvariant of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has emerged, named XBB.1.16, or "Arcturus". This variant was first detected in India and has now been reported in over 30 countries, including the Philippines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is closely monitoring the Arcturus subvariant as it is driving a surge of new COVID-19 cases in India.
The WHO upgraded it to a "variant of interest" status in mid-April, as it has spread to several countries and has shown evidence of increased transmission and moderate immune escape.
What is Arcturus?
According to the WHO, Arcturus does not appear to be more severe than previous COVID-19 strains, but it is more contagious and moderately resistant to our immune power.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo suggest that it could be about 1.17 to 1.27 times more infectious than Kraken, the last major Omicron subvariant.
Arcturus has one additional mutation in the spike protein that increases the risk of transmission and immune escape.
The WHO considers the "severity" and "clinical considerations for the variant" as "low."
What are the symptoms?
Dr. Vipin Vashishtha, a pediatrician and former head of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Immunization, said that Arcturus's symptoms include a high fever, higher than in previous COVID-19 variants, a cough, and "itchy" conjunctivitis, a condition that causes inflammation.
This particular symptom can cause some confusion in northern hemisphere countries at a time of the year when individuals commonly experience red, itchy eyes due to spring allergies like hay fever.
But a high fever is an effective way to rule out seasonal allergies.
Besides these newly reported symptoms, Arcturus infections resemble earlier COVID-19 strains for which symptoms include coughing, having a scratchy throat, and a runny nose.
Fatigue, body aches, headache, and congestion are also common signs.
Arcturus in the Philippines
The Philippines has detected its first case of Arcturus or XBB.1.16 Omicron subvariant, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Tuesday, April 25.
According to DOH's latest biosurveillance report, the first case, which has now fully recovered, was detected in Region 6 or Western Visayas.
Dr. Guido David, a member of the OCTA Research Group, suspects that the Arcturus subvariant has already reached Metro Manila.
David revealed last April 26, that he knows a person who tested positive for COVID-19 and experiences "red, itchy eyes," a symptom linked to the Arcturus subvariant.
However, genome sequencing has yet to confirm whether that individual has the Arcturus subvariant.
As of May 13, the Department of Health (DOH) has reported three new cases of the XBB.1.16 Omicron subvariant of COVID-19, also known as "Arcturus," bringing the total number of cases to four.
According to the latest biosurveillance report of the DOH from April 26 to May 6, all three cases were recorded in Western Visayas and were transmitted locally.
The DOH has urged the public to remain vigilant and follow health protocols, such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
