XBB.1.16, also known as “arcturus,” is a newly emerged COVID-19 variant that is spreading globally. Similar to the BA.5 and BQ.1 variants from 2022, XBB.1.16 is a subvariant of omicron. The World Health Organization has classified it as a “variant under monitoring,” which is a lower classification compared to variants of interest and variants of concern.
Jodie Guest, a professor of epidemiology at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, explains that one of the main concerns with XBB.1.16 is its rate of spread in countries where it has been detected. Currently, it is being monitored in 29 countries, including the United States. The variant originated in India and has seen a significant increase of 500% in the Southeast Asia region, including countries like India, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and The Maldives. There is also a noticeable rise in cases in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
In the United States, XBB.1.16 is contributing to a significant increase in COVID-19 cases. Matthew Binnicker, the director of clinical virology at Mayo Clinic, states that the variant’s proportion of sequenced cases has grown from 1% to a little over 7% in just a few weeks. Certain parts of the country, particularly the Southern states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, are experiencing a higher prevalence of this variant, representing about 20% of sequenced cases in that region.
Unfortunately, new variants like XBB.1.16 tend to be more transmissible, and this variant is no exception. According to Guest, the doubling rate suggests that it is highly transmissible. Additionally, the symptoms associated with this variant differ slightly from previous variants. Some people may experience red, itchy eyes, especially children. Fevers associated with XBB.1.16 tend to be higher, and patients may also have symptoms like chills, sweating, muscle aches, cough, scratchy throat, runny nose, and shortness of breath.
To protect oneself from XBB.1.16, it is recommended to stay up-to-date with vaccinations, practice proper hand hygiene, get tested for COVID-19 if experiencing any symptoms, and continue wearing masks to prevent the spread of the virus.
It’s important to note that scientific understanding of COVID-19 is still evolving, and guidance may change as more information becomes available. For the most up-to-date recommendations, it is advised to refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).