Four cases of Arcturus coronavirus have been recorded in Russia and national tests are detecting it. On this subject said during a visit to Saratov, the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova, reports RIA Novosti.
“The spread, of course, will be because the virus is so contagious,” Popova said.
According to her, the arctur subvariant is able to bypass the formed immunity, an increase in the incidence in Russia is possible by the end of May. Despite the fact that the currently known cases do not describe a severe course of the disease, the health system is “ready for overload”, Popova added.
“So far, the virus is predominant in India, causing a new wave that is quite intense for this country, and there today almost 90% of all people newly sick every day are people infected with Arcturus,” said the head of Rospotrebnadzor.
She also highlighted the high infectivity of the new subspecies. “That is, any small contact leads to infection and, most likely, the development of the disease,” Popova said.
“Now the holiday period will start, then everyone will come together – and this push can be. The preventive measures are known, they are all equal,” explained the head of Rospotrebnadzor.
What do we know about “Arcturus”
Coronavirus sub-variant XBB 1.16 (“Arctur”) was first reported in India in January 2023. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) added it to the list of subjects of concern and requiring monitoring. As of April 13, the new version has been distributed in 29 countries, including the United States, Germany and China, according to the WHO.
About cases of infection with a new subvariant of k in Russia Rospotrebnadzor informed April 18. The regulator explained that there is no need to introduce anti-epidemic restrictions in connection with the identification of a new sub-variant of the coronavirus.
Professor of Moscow State University, Doctor of Biology Alexey Agranovsky said RBC that it is impossible to prevent infection with the Arcturus subspecies, but it is not necessary, since the disease is dangerous only for risk groups (the elderly or people with reduced immunity). The last expert recommended vaccination.
According to Agranovsky, the symptoms of Arcturus are the same as those of other strains in this group, but there are symptoms of conjunctivitis and fever (though not in all cases). The scientist noted that the new subvariant of the virus is not shocking epidemiological news.
Head of the Laboratory of Mechanisms of Variability of Populations of Pathogenic Microorganisms of the Vladimir Gushchin Center explain “Kommersant” that there are additional mutations in the “Arcturus” genome, which presumably affect the contagiousness of the disease caused. According to him, infected with a new subspecies of coronavirus, it is relatively easy to get sick.
Read the Latest Ukraine War News on The Eastern Herald.
