Overview

• The World Health Organization added XFG (Stratus) to its variant-under-monitoring list in June and says current global severity risk remains low.
• UK surveillance noted week-on-week increases in early September, and XFG.3 accounted for about 40% of sequenced cases in June, according to UKHSA reports.
• Clinicians consistently flag a hoarse or raspy voice—often preceding other signs—as a distinctive early symptom, alongside congestion, sore throat, digestive issues and fatigue.
• Irish officials recorded 425 new infections in the first week of September, with XFG believed to be responsible for most of those cases.
• Health agencies are promoting autumn and winter vaccinations, with UKHSA urging eligible groups to book shots and NHS appointments rolling out from October 1.