Nearly five years after COVID-19 first upended daily life, the virus continues to evolve. The latest variant gaining attention is called Stratus — a name already making its way through news headlines, social media chatter, and public health briefings. First flagged in multiple U.S. states and several countries in late 2024, Stratus is now showing steady growth in reported cases across the globe.

What makes it different? Scientists say Stratus belongs to the Omicron family, but carries a distinct set of mutations that may affect how it spreads and the symptoms it causes. While early data is still emerging, its trajectory has many experts urging caution without panic.

Stratus (officially XFG) popped up on researchers’ radar in early 2025 as a genetic recombination of two prior COVID-19 strains—LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. By late spring, it accounted for nearly 23% of global cases, and hovered at around 14% in the US. In England, its rapid climb—from 10% to 40% prevalence in mere weeks—warranted media nicknames like “Frankenstein variant” and set off alarm bells about just how fast it can spread. The World Health Organization currently lists Stratus as a variant under monitoring, citing its concerning immune-escape mutations but noting the overall public health risk remains low for now.

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How Stratus Is Spreading?

Stratus’ dominance across regions stems from its transmissibility, not its severity. Four key mutations in the spike protein may help it evade immunity—whether from past infection or vaccination—but there’s no sign yet that it causes more severe disease.

Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows Stratus now accounts for a growing percentage of new COVID cases nationwide, particularly in urban centers with high travel activity. Similar trends are being reported in parts of Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Unlike earlier variants that surged sharply, Stratus appears to be building momentum more gradually — but steadily. This slower curve may allow it to spread under the radar for longer, especially in areas where testing and genomic sequencing have scaled back since the height of the pandemic.

What Are Stratus Symptoms You Should Know

If you’ve been keeping track, sore throats—and not just any sore throat—have become Stratus’ odd signature. People describe it as scratchy or raspy tones, easily mistaken for allergies or seasonal laryngitis. According to early clinical reports, the most common Stratus symptoms include:

• Persistent sore throat or hoarseness
• Headaches that last several days
• Nasal congestion and mild fever
• Fatigue that lingers beyond the acute phase

Some patients also report changes in smell or taste, but less frequently than with earlier variants. Shortness of breath and chest discomfort remain uncommon in vaccinated individuals but can occur in higher-risk groups.

Doctors stress that the full symptom spectrum may become clearer as more data is collected over the coming months.

COVID now spreads faster than before. According to updated medical data, incubation with Omicron-like variants—including Stratus—is often around 3 to 4 days—shorter than earlier strains’ 5–7 days. That means the usual advice is still relevant:

• If symptoms begin, test early—but not too early, since antigen kits may fail at onset.
• If negative, test again in 24–48 hours if symptoms persist.
• Most adults can end isolation after 5 to 7 days, provided symptoms are improving and any fever has resolved 24 hours without medication.

Expired or faulty tests? Double-check the control line on your test. If it doesn’t appear, the kit may be invalid—even if unused

Why New Variants Keep Appearing?

Viruses mutate — it’s part of their survival strategy. Each time SARS-CoV-2 infects someone, it makes copies of itself. Occasionally, those copies contain genetic changes that give the virus an advantage, such as spreading more efficiently or dodging parts of our immune response.

For Stratus, researchers are still analyzing whether its mutations make it more transmissible or better at evading immunity from vaccines or past infections. What’s clear is that population immunity, while strong, is not absolute — especially as antibody levels naturally wane over time.

Current COVID vaccines, including updated boosters targeting recent Omicron strains, are still expected to offer protection against severe illness from Stratus. However, breakthrough infections are possible, particularly in people who haven’t had a booster in the last 6–12 months.

Public health agencies continue to recommend boosters for older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and those working in high-exposure settings. Whether a Stratus-specific vaccine update will be needed remains to be seen.

Is Preventing Spread in 2025 A Reality?

We’re no longer in the emergency stage of the pandemic, but familiar prevention strategies still matter:

• Staying home if you’re sick
• Masking in crowded indoor spaces during surges
• Testing before visiting vulnerable individuals
• Keeping up to date on vaccinations

With reduced restrictions and increased global mobility, even moderate increases in transmission can ripple quickly through communities — especially during cold and flu season.

Researchers are tracking whether Stratus leads to more reinfections, if its symptoms last longer, and whether it’s linked to post-COVID complications like long COVID. Hospitals are monitoring for any shifts in admission patterns, particularly among children and older adults.

There’s also a focus on transparency: experts say real-time sharing of data across countries is essential for staying ahead of variant-driven waves.

Stratus isn’t dramatically different—no skyrocketed hospitalizations, no alarming new symptom profiles. But it does remind us that SARS-CoV-2 is still evolving, still engaging our resilience and still requiring vigilance.

You don’t need to panic. But staying informed, testing responsibly, masking when needed, and keeping vaccinations up to date that’s how we stay ahead of the next wave.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, has issued a statement recalling an organic baby formula. The company ByHeart Inc's two lots of Whole Nutrition Infant Formula has been recalled, the lots are:

• Lot: 206VABP/251261P2 ("Use by 01 Dec 2026")
• Lot: 206VABP/251131P2 ("Use by 01 Dec 2026")

In a statement, the CDC wrote:

CDC and public health officials in several states, the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, and FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to recalled infant formula. Infant botulism happens when swallowed spores from a type of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum infects a baby's large intestine and make toxin in it. Infant botulism often starts with constipation but is usually first noticed as difficulty feeding (sucking and swallowing), a weak and altered cry, and loss of muscle tone.

The CDC also notes that 10 states have seen the cases infant botulism. 13 cases have been reported, all of them leading to hospitalization.

The Food and Drug Administration (DA), US has also asked parents and caregivers who have this product to identify the given lot information at the bottom of the packaging and if it matches, they must throw it away. The FDA has said that it is working with retailers to remove "all potentially impacted product" from the store shelves.

FDA has also asked parents who have fed their kids ByHeart's infant formula to keep and eye on them as a precaution and botulism can take two weeks to develop.

The States Which Have Reported The Cases Of Infant Botulism Linked With ByHeart Formula:

• Arizona
• California
• Illinois
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Texas
• Washington

What Is Infant Botulism?

Most common form of all botulism in babies, who are between 2 to 8 months old. It happens when the bacteria spores grow in a baby’s intestines and produce the toxin. Honey and contaminated soil can be sources of infant botulism. Adults can also get this type, though it’s rare.

What Are The Symptoms Of Botulism In Infants?

As per CDC, the symptoms include:

• Most infants with infant botulism will initially develop constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, and difficulty swallowing
• If untreated, infants with infant botulism experience a progressive flaccid paralysis that can lead to breathing difficulties and required weeks of hospitalization

The CDC has also recommended that if clinical supports infant botulism then parents and caregivers must begin the treatment and should not wait for laboratory confirmation.

What Did The Makers Of The Infant Formula Say?

ByHeart, which is a New York City based company said that the FDA has as of now tracked 83 reports of infant botulism across the nation since August, 13 of them from the formula. In the statement, the company said: "ByHeart is taking the proactive step to remove any potential risk from the market and ensure the highest level of safety for infants. The FDA has not identified a direct link between any infant formula and these cases and there is no historical precedent of infant formula causing infant botulism."

Eli Lilly’s weight-loss and diabetes injection, Mounjaro, has overtaken GSK’s antibiotic Augmentin (GSK.L) to become India’s highest-selling drug by value in October, as demand for weight-loss treatments continues to surge in the world’s most populated country. According to new data from research firm Pharmarack, the U.S.-based drugmaker’s popular injectable earned ₹1 billion ($11.38 million) in sales last month, compared to Augmentin’s ₹800 million.

While Augmentin still led in overall units sold—5.8 million doses versus 85,000 of Mounjaro—the latter’s premium pricing pushed it ahead in total value, as per Reuters. Analysts say India is rapidly emerging as a major market for obesity treatments, with the global weight-loss drug sector expected to cross $150 billion annually by the end of this decade.

Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro Becomes India’s Top-Selling Medicine in October

Launched in India in March 2025, Mounjaro which helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduces appetite—has seen its sales double within months, surpassing its rival Wegovy by Novo Nordisk, which entered the Indian market in June. Data from Pharmarack shows that Mounjaro has so far generated ₹3.33 billion in total revenue.

“Mounjaro’s consumption in India by volume was nearly ten times higher than Wegovy in October,” said Sheetal Sapale, Vice President (Commercial) at Pharmarack. Eli Lilly sold around 262,000 doses of Mounjaro last month, compared to 26,000 doses of Wegovy. Both drugs belong to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, designed to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes.

How Does Mounjaro Work?

Mounjaro is a once-weekly injectable medication developed primarily for managing type 2 diabetes. Its key ingredient, tirzepatide, is the first of its kind to act on two gut hormones—GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). This dual mechanism makes Mounjaro more advanced than older drugs such as Ozempic (semaglutide) or Victoza (liraglutide), which target only GLP-1, which is thus driving a surge in its sale in india.

Although it was originally approved for diabetes management, Mounjaro has attracted global attention for its strong weight-loss effects. Ongoing studies are evaluating its use for non-diabetic individuals struggling with obesity. The drug mimics the action of GIP and GLP-1, which are hormones released naturally after meals to regulate insulin release, lower blood sugar, and suppress appetite.

Mounjaro for Type 2 Diabetes

For people living with type 2 diabetes, keeping blood sugar in check often requires a combination of medicines, diet adjustments, and regular monitoring. Mounjaro offers a more integrated solution by targeting multiple factors that influence glucose levels. Findings from clinical trials, including the SURPASS-1 to SURPASS-5 studies, show that Mounjaro delivers better outcomes than many existing diabetes treatments, particularly in lowering HbA1c levels—a key marker of long-term glucose control.

Patients using Mounjaro have shown:

• Lower fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels
• Reductions in HbA1c by up to 2.5%
• Improved insulin sensitivity

Mounjaro and Weight Loss

Beyond its use for diabetes, Mounjaro has gained global popularity for its significant role in weight reduction. Clinical studies reveal that people taking the drug often lose between 15% and 20% of their body weight over several months of consistent use. This level of weight loss surpasses that seen with many earlier treatments and even some surgical interventions, making Mounjaro one of the most effective options currently available for managing obesity.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information and should not replace professional medical guidance. Always consult your doctor for advice or concerns regarding any health condition.

Following the sharp hike in the H-1B visa fee to $100,000, the Trump administration may soon begin rejecting visa applications from foreigners with certain health conditions, including diabetes and obesity.

While there has been no formal confirmation from U.S. authorities, a report by KFF Health News said a cable from the State Department to embassies and consulates listed new health-related grounds for visa denials.

Trump May Now Deny Entry to Diabetic and Obese Immigrants

According to the report, the guidance instructs visa officers to consider applicants ineligible for entry based on factors such as age and medical conditions, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancer, diabetes, metabolic and neurological disorders, and certain mental health conditions.

Officers have also been told to evaluate other issues such as obesity — which can contribute to high blood pressure, asthma, and sleep apnea, when assessing whether an applicant might become a “public charge,” or a potential financial burden on the U.S. government.

The guidance further directs officials to determine whether the applicant has sufficient financial resources to pay for their care. “Does the applicant have adequate financial resources to cover the costs of such care over his entire expected lifespan without seeking public cash assistance or long-term institutionalization at government expense?” the cable states.

It adds that individuals who could become a “public charge” — due to age or chronic health problems, may be denied entry for potentially relying on U.S. public resources.

Although the directive applies broadly to most visa categories, it is expected to primarily impact those applying for permanent residency, senior attorney Charles Wheeler told KFF Health News.

Can US Officers Reject Visas Over Health Or Financial Ability?

Visa officers have also been instructed to evaluate whether applicants can afford medical treatment independently, without relying on U.S. public funds.

Wheeler said the new rule gives officers the power to form their own opinions on what might lead to future medical emergencies or financial strain. “That’s concerning because these officers are not medically trained, have no expertise in this area, and should not be making projections based on personal judgment or bias,” Wheeler said.

US Visa Officers To Consider Health Of Applicants’ Family Members

The cable also instructs visa officers to assess the health of applicants’ family members — including children or elderly parents, when determining visa eligibility.

“Do any of the dependents have disabilities, chronic medical conditions, or other special needs and require care such that the applicant cannot maintain employment?” the State Department communication asks.

Currently, immigrant applicants must undergo a medical examination conducted by a doctor approved by the U.S. embassy. The screening includes tests for infectious diseases, an evaluation of mental health history, substance use, and proof of vaccination against illnesses such as measles, polio, and hepatitis B.

However, immigration lawyer Sophia Genovese from Georgetown University noted that the new guidance expands these requirements by directing officials to weigh long-term health conditions, not just communicable diseases, when reviewing visa applications.