Overview

• XFG/Stratus, nicknamed “Frankenstein,” emerged early this year through recombination of Omicron lineages LF.7 and LP.8.1.2
• The WHO placed XFG under surveillance after it accounted for 22.7% of global Covid cases by late May and showed a clear growth advantage over other variants
• Instituto Oswaldo Cruz detected XFG in 62% of analyzed samples in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Ceará and Santa Catarina between July 1 and 8
• Argentina has not officially reported any cases amid low genomic sequencing but public health officials warn of its imminent arrival
• While XFG produces a distinctive hoarseness symptom, it has not increased hospitalization rates and remains susceptible to existing mRNA and ARVAC vaccines