Overview

• The WHO designated XFG, nicknamed Stratus, as a Variant Under Monitoring on June 25 after its share of global sequences rose from 7.4% to 22.7% within four weeks
• Stratus is a recombinant of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 with 1,648 sequences reported from 38 countries to GISAID
• The variant accounts for nearly 69% of infections in Southeast Asia, dominates outbreaks in India and represents about 17% of cases in Europe
• Clinicians report hoarseness as the hallmark symptom of Stratus infections while surveillance data show no increase in hospitalizations or deaths
• WHO assesses the variant’s immune escape potential as low and expects current COVID-19 vaccines and antivirals to remain effective