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 UKHSA has noted that a new strain of COVID-19 virus, called Stratus, with two variants, XFG and XFG.3, has accounted for a high proportion cases in England, reports the Independent. Among these two variants, XFG.3 has accounted for 30% of cases in the country.

However, experts have suggested to not panic on the arrival of this new strain. Dr Alex Allen, consultant epidemiologist of UKHSA said, "It is normal for viruses to mutate and change over time," as reported by the Independent. However, the UKHSA has also confirmed that it continues to monitor all strains of COVID in the UK. For now, experts are not concerned over the spread.

What Is Stratus XFG and XFG.3?

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), XFG is a "variant under monitoring" and that any health risk posed by this variant remain low at the global level.

As of now, globally, XFG has the highest relative growth when compared to the other variants that are currently active and circulating, including "Nimbus" NB.1.8.1.

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The WHO also confirmed that current data does not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness or deaths than the other currently active variants in circulation.

Unique Symptoms Of Stratus COVID Strain

While the strain is said to be not a cause of concern, the symptoms may be unique from what we traditionally know COVID symptoms to be.

The WHO however, time and again has said that there is no increase in severity. It said, "While there are reported increases in cases and hospitalisations in some of the [South-east Asia Region] countries, which has the highest proportion of XFG, there are no reports to suggest that the associated disease severity is higher as compared to other circulating variants."

Dr Allen also seconded the opinion and said, "Based on the available information so far, there is no evidence to suggest that the XFG and XFG.3 variants cause more severe disease than previous variants, or that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against them.”

The unique symptoms of Stratus COVID strain includes:

• Sore throat or hoarseness, as experts have also claimed that Stratus can give patients a "hoarse voice".
• Headaches that can last several days
• Nasal congestion and mild fever
• Fatigue that lingers beyond acute phase

Other than these unique symptoms, the common COVID symptoms like change in smell or taste, shortness of breath and chest discomfort remain, however, it may be uncommon in vaccinated individuals.

Are There Any Risks Around The New Stratus Strain?

XFG is growing rapidly compared to co-circulating variants globally. However, XFG exhibits only marginal additional immune evasion over [other varient] LP.8.1. While there are reported increases in cases and hospitalizations in some of the [South-east Asia Region] countries, which has the highest proportion of XFG, there are no reports to suggest that the associated disease severity is higher as compared to other circulating variants. The available evidence on XFG does not suggest additional public health risks relative to the other currently circulating Omicron descendant lineages," said WHO.

Do We Need New Vaccines For The New Strain?

The WHO said that as per the current available data, the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against symptomatic and severe diseases, including caused by the new strain.

However, Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and founder of Hannah London Clinic told Cosmopolitan UK that due to certain mutations in the spike protein in Stratus strain, it could evade antibodies "developed from prior infections or vaccinations".

While WHO noted that the risk of vaccine evasion is low, it also noted that more studies must be added to assess the risk of antibody escape.

Every year, on August 13, World Organ Donation Day is observed, globally, to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation and to make people aware about the misconceptions that surround organ donation.

World Organ Donation Day 2025 Theme And Significance

This year's theme for World Organ Donation Day is 'Answering the Call'. This theme highlights the important function played by the professionals in the organ donation community. What it means is to encourage more to strengthen their dedication to save as many lives as possible through organ donation and transplantation.

The Pace Hospital notes that as of 2021, globally, 1,44,302 organ transplantations had occurred, of which, 26.44% were of deceased organ donation. India performed a total of 12,259 transplantation, contributing to 8% in global transplantations. In India, the most transplants that took place were for kidneys at 74.27%, liver at 23.33%, heart at 1.23%, lung at 1.08%, pancreas at 0.15%, and small intestine at 0.03%.

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The overall number of deceased donors transplantation in India was 4.5%. While the deceased donors transplantation in India was reported 759 for kidney, 279 for liver and 99 for heart, the Indian Ministry of Health's estimated that it needs 175,000 kidneys, 50,000 livers, hearts, and lungs and 2,500 pancreas to meet the demand.

The Indian Ministry of Road and Transport and Highway's 2021 report notes that more than 1.5 lakh were reported as accident-related mortalities, however, only 552 deceased brain deaths organ transplantations took place in 2021. This is why it is more so important to raise awareness about organ donation to help those in requirement and reducing the number of patients on the waiting list.

History Of Organ Donation

It was in 1954, when the first successful organ transplant was performed. It was a kidney transplant by Dr Joseph Murray and his team at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

The donor was Ronald Lee Herrick, who donated his organ to his twin brother Richard Herrick. Later in 1990, the doctor was honored with Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for bringing advances in organ transplantation.

Th United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) highlights the timeline of the first donations and transplants performed of different organs.

• 1996: First simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant performed.
• 1967: First successful liver transplant performed.
• 1968: The Southeast Organ Procurement Foundation implemented the first computer-based organ matching system, which was dubbed as UNOS. It successfully performed the first isolated pancreas transplant and heart transplant.
• 1981: First successful heart-lung transplant performed.
• 1983: First successful single-lung transplant performed. Cyclosporine, the first of a number of drugs that effectively treat organ rejection by suppressing the human immune system, introduced.
• 1984: National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA) was passed.
• 1986: First successful double-lung transplant performed.
• 1987: First successful intestinal transplant performed.
• 1988: First split-liver transplant performed.
• 1989: First successful living donor liver transplant performed.
• 1990: First successful living donor lung transplant performed.
• 1992: UNOS helped found Donate Life America to build public support for organ donation.
• 1998: First successful adult-to-adult living donor liver transplant performed.

How Organ Donation Can Change A Life?

In March 2024, a dedicated Delhi-based teacher, Meena Mehta was declared brain dead and her organs were donated to many, including her hands, shared her nephew Jawed Mehta. A 45-year-old Delhi-based painter had lost both his hands in a 2020 train accident, who received hand transplant. The hands were of Meena Mehta. After a 12-hour long surgery, the painter was able to paint again. Meena Mehta also donated her kidney, liver, and corneas, which has changed lives of three more people.

Nine-time Grand Slam champion Monica Seles is using her popularity and platform to shed light on a rare chronic neuromuscular condition that has changed her life. Myasthenia Gravis.

In an interview with Good Morning America on Tuesday, the former World No. 1 revealed for the first time that she was diagnosed three years ago with myasthenia gravis, or MG, an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness.

"It was 30 years ago that I came back to the [U.S.] Open ... It was like a reset, and this was one of the reasons I decided to go public with my myasthenia gravis," Seles said. "It’s been a huge reset not just in my professional life as a tennis player, but also in my personal life."

Seles, who last played professionally in 2003 and officially retired in 2008, said she hopes her story will help others who may be struggling with unexplained symptoms.

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Recognizing the Signs

The 51-year-old said her training as a professional athlete helped her notice early changes in her body.

"I started experiencing these symptoms of extreme leg weakness, arm weakness, double vision. So I realized, ‘This is very unusual,’" she explained. "Once I was diagnosed, it was like a relief, but also it was a challenge."

Travel, once routine during her tennis career, has become more complicated. "Even coming here today, in the old days, traveling would be a no-brainer. Now I had to get packing tips. I had to learn a new way to live with MG," she said.

Speaking Out to Help Others

Seles admitted she had never heard of myasthenia gravis before her diagnosis. "I had no clue what it was. I had a hard time pronouncing it," she said with a smile.

She hopes that talking about her experience will encourage people to seek medical advice if they notice changes in their health.

"It’s been a very challenging time dealing with it," she added. "But knowing there’s hope out there and a great community has helped me tremendously."

Her message to others: "Advocate for yourself and know your symptoms."

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What Is Myasthenia Gravis?

According to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), myasthenia gravis is a chronic neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in voluntary muscles, the muscles responsible for movements like walking, swallowing, breathing, and facial expressions.

MG occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy muscle receptors, disrupting the signals needed for muscle contraction. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that the condition is not inherited or contagious and often develops later in life.

The disease can affect anyone, but it most commonly impacts women under 40 and men over 60. Symptoms may include:

• Drooping eyelids (ptosis) and double vision (diplopia)
• Muscle weakness that worsens with activity
• Trouble swallowing or speaking clearly
• Weakness in the arms, legs, neck, or face
• Shortness of breath in severe cases

Symptoms can vary widely between individuals. In rare situations, a myasthenic crisis may occur, affecting breathing muscles and requiring emergency medical care.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Because the symptoms of MG can resemble other health conditions, diagnosis involves a combination of physical and neurological exams, blood tests, and nerve stimulation studies.

There is currently no cure, but treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. These may include medications that enhance communication between nerves and muscles, immunosuppressive drugs, and in some cases, surgery to remove the thymus gland.

Temporary forms of MG can occur in newborns if a mother has the disease, but these cases usually resolve within two to three months.

Looking Ahead

While managing myasthenia gravis has brought challenges, Seles continues to find joy in life and in the sport she loves. She still follows tennis closely and is excited about the current generation of players.

"I wish I had a crystal ball," she said. "I love Coco Gauff, the electricity she brought to the U.S. Open. As a tennis fan, we just want great matches and the excitement of the fans."

By sharing her personal journey, Seles hopes to break the silence around MG and help others feel less alone. "When I got diagnosed, I wished I had heard someone talk about it. Now, I hope my story can be that for someone else."