If you thought the days of worrying about new COVID variants were behind us, think again.
A new strain, ominously nicknamed the ‘Frankenstein’ variant and officially known as Stratus (XFG), has been making headlines for its rapid rise and uncanny ability to dodge our immune defences.
For Australians—especially those over 50 or with underlying health conditions—this is a development worth keeping an eye on.
What’s the story with Stratus?
Stratus is the latest in a long line of COVID variants, but what sets it apart is its speed.
In the United Kingdom (UK), it’s gone from making up just 10 per cent of COVID cases in May to nearly 40 per cent by mid-June.
That’s a four-fold increase in just a few weeks, and experts say it’s now the dominant strain in England.
So, what makes Stratus so special—or, rather, so concerning? It’s what scientists call a ‘recombinant’ or ‘Frankenstein’ variant.
This means it emerged when someone was infected with two different COVID strains at the same time, which then combined to create a new hybrid.
In this case, Stratus is a descendent of the already highly infectious Omicron variant.
Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, explains that Stratus and its offshoot, XFG.3, are spreading rapidly because of new mutations in the spike protein.
These mutations help the virus slip past our immune system, making it easier to catch—even if you’ve had COVID before or are vaccinated.
Should we be worried?
The good news is that, so far, there’s no evidence that Stratus causes more severe illness than previous variants.
The symptoms are familiar: fatigue, fever, muscle aches, and a sore throat.
However, the sheer infectiousness of Stratus means more people could catch it, especially as immunity from previous infections and vaccinations wanes over time.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has now classified Stratus as a ‘variant under monitoring’, which means health authorities worldwide are keeping a close eye on it.
While the WHO currently assesses the overall risk as ‘low’, they do note that Stratus has a significant growth advantage over other strains, now accounting for 22 per cent of global cases.
What about Nimbus?
Stratus isn’t the only new kid on the block. Another variant, Nimbus, is also on the rise, jumping from just 2 per cent of cases in April to 17 per cent in June in the UK.
Like Stratus, Nimbus doesn’t seem to cause new or unusual symptoms, but doctors have noted that a ‘razor blade’ sore throat and swollen neck glands are common.
Dr Michael Gregory from National Health Service (NHS) England warns that Nimbus is spreading quickly, and anyone experiencing these symptoms should be cautious.
How does this affect Australians?
While these variants are currently making waves in the UK and Europe, we know from experience that what happens overseas often finds its way to Australian shores.
With international travel back in full swing, it’s only a matter of time before these variants appear in Australia—if they haven’t already.
For those over 50, or with chronic health conditions, the risk of severe illness from COVID remains higher.
Even if the new variants don’t cause more severe disease, the sheer number of infections could still put pressure on our healthcare system and increase the risk for vulnerable groups.
The bottom line
While the emergence of new COVID variants like Stratus and Nimbus is a reminder that the pandemic isn’t over, there’s no need to panic.
Staying informed, keeping up with vaccinations, and practising sensible precautions can help keep you and your loved ones safe.
Have you noticed more people around you coming down with COVID lately? Are you concerned about new variants, or do you feel confident in your current level of protection?
We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—share them in the comments below. Your insights could help others in the community stay safe and informed.
