A new COVID strain, named Stratus, along with its variants XFG and XFG.3, is circulating in the UK, with XFG.3 responsible for a significant portion of cases in England.

Experts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are closely monitoring these variants but are not overly concerned, noting that viral mutations are normal. The WHO has classified XFG as a “variant under monitoring” and assessed its additional global public health risk as low. Current data indicate that XFG does not cause more severe illness or deaths, and existing vaccines are expected to remain effective. Below we have listed some unique symptoms of the emerging strain that you should take note of.

New Covid Variant in UKWith winter fast approaching, many people are already experiencing runny noses, dry coughs, and fevers. Currently, these symptoms are likely caused by COVID-19, with virus levels among the highest they have been all year.

XFG, a sub-variant of the once-infamous Omicron, was first detected in January. This strain, nicknamed Stratus, now accounts for the majority of COVID cases in the UK and has two main variants: XFG and XFG.3. According to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data, XFG is responsible for 38.3% of UK cases, while XFG.3 accounts for 32.8%. Globally, Stratus is linked to over 60% of COVID cases, according to the World Health Organization, which is actively monitoring the variant.

Unique Symptoms of New COVID Strain in UK

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Stratus follows the highly infectious Nimbus strain, which was linked to severe “razor blade” sore throats, according to Stony Brook Medicine, the academic medical center of Stony Brook University in New York. Symptoms of Stratus can also include shortness of breath, chest tightness, sore or scratchy throat, headaches and body aches, upset stomach, nausea or loss of appetite, brain fog or trouble concentrating, and loss of taste or smell—though the latter is now less common.

Experts recommend seeking medical attention if these symptoms appear to receive proper diagnosis and treatment, which may include antiviral medications, at-home remedies, or over-the-counter drugs.

Immunity against COVID-19 remains low, and cases are no longer tracked as closely as during the height of the pandemic, when free testing was widely available. Current monitoring, however, shows infections are at their highest levels this year. Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicate that around 9% of all COVID tests taken in the week ending September 7 were positive, the highest since last November. Among those tested in GP practices, 10.8% were infected, while 8.9% of hospital swabs returned positive results.

Who Is Still at Risk of Severe COVID?For most people, COVID-19 now causes a mild, self-limiting illness. However, certain groups remain at higher risk of severe disease:

• Older adults, particularly those over 70
• Immunocompromised individuals, including cancer patients
• People with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease
• Socially disadvantaged populations, including those experiencing homelessness

When most people think of rabies, dogs are the first animals that come to mind. However, for those unfamiliar, rabies can be transmitted by several other animals as well. Recently, a rare and alarming case was reported in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, where a woman died after contracting rabies through cow’s milk. On the occasion of World Rabies Day, it’s important to understand which animals can carry and transmit this deadly virus.

Greater Noida Woman Dies After Contracting Rabies from Cow: What You Need to Know

A woman in Greater Noida allegedly died from rabies days after contracting the disease through an infected cow. The rare case has raised questions about how rabies can be transmitted through milk and what precautions can prevent such risks.

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic viral disease transmitted from mammals to humans. It primarily affects the central nervous system and can infect dogs, cats, livestock, and wildlife.

Can You Get Rabies from Milk?

An ICAR report notes that milk from rabid animals, such as cows and buffaloes, may contain the rabies virus, posing a risk if consumed without boiling. The report classifies “person drinking unboiled milk” as Category I in terms of exposure risk.

In the Greater Noida case, the cow reportedly contracted rabies after a stray dog bite. Despite the animal showing symptoms and being vaccinated by the family, the woman did not seek medical attention.

Other exposures in this category include being licked by an infectious animal on an intact mucous membrane (mouth, nose, anus, genitalia, conjunctiva) or being bitten without blood.

Why Bite Classification Matters

“The rabies virus infects the brain. Once it reaches the brain and symptoms appear, the infection is virtually untreatable and almost always fatal within days,” the report states.

Previous Cases And Official GuidanceAccording to the CDC, there have been reports of potential mass exposures to rabies from drinking unpasteurized milk.

However, the National Centre for Disease Control clarified: “There is no laboratory or epidemiological evidence showing that rabies is transmitted via consumption of milk or milk products. Therefore, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is not required for consuming milk or milk products from rabies-infected animals.”

Can You Get Rabies From Other Animals?Rabies is caused by a virus found in the saliva of infected mammals. It is most commonly spread through bites, but transmission can also occur if saliva enters broken skin or mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. While any mammal can potentially carry rabies, the risk varies by region and species.

High-Risk Animals

• Dogs: The leading cause of human rabies worldwide, especially in developing countries, according to the NCDC.
• Bats: A major source of human rabies deaths in the Americas, Europe, and Australia, as their bites often go unnoticed.
• Raccoons, Foxes, and Skunks: Primary rabies carriers in the United States, as noted by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
• Other Wild Mammals: Coyotes, wolves, bobcats, and ferrets can also transmit the virus.
• Domestic Animals: Cats, cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and pigs may spread rabies if unvaccinated.

Low-Risk Animals

The virus spreads mainly through bites. However, exposure can also occur if infectious saliva contacts open wounds or mucous membranes.

How to Identify a Rabid Animal

1. Strange Behavior

• Wild animals losing their natural fear of humans, approaching people or populated areas.
• Nocturnal animals (like bats, raccoons, or foxes) being active during the day.
• Sudden aggression in normally calm pets.

2. Signs of Aggression or Anxiety

• Unprovoked biting, snapping, or attacking other animals or humans.
• Restlessness, irritability, or agitation.

3. Physical Symptoms

• Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Weakness, paralysis, or staggering movements.
• Seizures or trembling.

4. Signs of "Dumb Rabies" (paralytic form)

• Unusual quietness, lethargy, or sudden paralysis.
• Animals may appear unusually tame but unable to move properly.

Disclaimer:

Not all sick animals have rabies, and not all rabid animals show every symptom. If you see an animal behaving strangely or showing these signs, do not approach it. Report it immediately to local animal control or veterinary authorities.

A new report from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, has raised alarm over a sharp jump in drug-resistant infections. Cases linked to so-called “nightmare bacteria” have climbed by nearly 70 per cent between 2019 and 2023. These bacteria are resistant to carbapenems, a class of antibiotics often considered the last option when other treatments fail, which makes infections especially hard and expensive to treat.

The study points to bacteria carrying the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) gene as the biggest culprit behind this surge. In 2023, 29 US states with genetic testing facilities identified over 4,300 carbapenem-resistant infections, of which 1,831 were tied to NDM. That figure marks a more than fivefold increase in just four years. With cases climbing steadily, experts are voicing growing concern about why the threat is spreading in the US and what it could mean for the future.

Why Are Nightmare Bacteria Infections Increasing in the US?

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However, the report excluded some of the most populous states, California, Florida, New York, and Texas—so the actual nationwide numbers are likely much higher. A separate CDC report highlighted a steady rise in NDM infections in New York City between 2019 and 2024. Yet, many hospitals across the country still lack the capacity to perform genetic tests to identify resistant strains, making underreporting a major challenge.

What Is Nightmare Bacteria?

The risk intensifies when these bacteria carry the NDM gene, enabling them to neutralize multiple powerful antibiotics simultaneously. In such cases, doctors have very few, if any, treatment options.

Nightmare Bacteria Symptoms

• Urinary tract infections: burning during urination, cloudy urine, frequent urges
• Pneumonia: cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing
• Bloodstream infections (sepsis): high fever, chills, confusion, low blood pressure, and rapid heartbeat

The CDC also notes that some cases may involve wound infections, persistent fevers, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Can Nightmare Bacteria Be Cured?According to CDC researchers, only two drugs remain effective against NDM strains, both costly and requiring intravenous administration. David Weiss of Emory University described the rise as a “grave danger.” Public health authorities warn that unchecked resistance could make once-manageable illnesses, such as urinary tract infections or pneumonia—much harder to treat and could complicate routine surgeries, as post-operative infections may no longer respond to standard therapies.

The CDC notes that most carbapenem-resistant and NDM infections originate in healthcare settings, particularly among patients using ventilators, catheters, or intravenous lines. Al Jazeera reports that poor sanitation and gaps in infection control can allow these bacteria to spread rapidly within hospitals.

However, the threat is no longer confined to medical facilities. Dr. Maroya Walters, a CDC report author, warned that if resistant strains spread in the wider community, even routine infections like urinary tract infections could become far more difficult to treat.

Every year on September 29, the world observes World Heart Day, while we all talk about the ways one can protect their hearts, changes in food, and lifestyle, we often leave one very vulnerable group - the younger generation, or those below 18. As per the American College of Cardiology, young Indians have a fatigued heart, with 40% of them being between the ages of 13 to 35.

For children in India, this oversight is turning into a public health crisis. Pediatric heart screening is no longer a luxury reserved for the symptomatic; it is a fundamental, proactive check required to combat a rising wave of congenital defects and early-onset, lifestyle-driven heart disease.

What is Pediatric Heart Screening and Why is it the need of the hour?

Pediatric heart screening is fundamentally a medical check-up done to look for heart problems in children. It is an essential health assessment that helps doctors find conditions like heart defects, irregular heartbeat, or the risk of future heart disease at an early stage.

The importance of this check-up is underscored by the silent nature of many cardiac issues in young people. Dr. Bharath A P, Consultant, Paediatric Cardiology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, emphasizes the gravity of the situation: “It is very important to get heart screenings done at a young age because many heart problems can be silent and not show clear symptoms”.

He explains that these checks are crucial because “Early screening can find hidden issues like heart defects, abnormal rhythms, or high blood pressure before they become serious”.

Adding a metabolic dimension to this urgency, Dr Mayanka Lodha Seth, Chief Pathologist, Redcliffe Labs, notes that the environmental factors are making the problem worse. She states, “over the years we have seen the lifestyle and eating habits are deteriorating with each passing day, and the reason is easily accessible junk available while sitting at home in just 15 minutes, so getting the overall health screening at a young age, including heart health screening has been, extremely important”.

If these conditions, whether structural or lifestyle-related—are detected early, doctors can give the right treatment and prevent future, often fatal, complications. The ultimate benefit? Early detection helps doctors treat conditions before they become serious , prevent emergencies, improve the child’s growth and activity, and reduce the risk of future heart disease.

Clinical vs. Pathology-Based Screening

Pediatric heart screening must be viewed as a layered approach that combines the traditional clinical assessment of the heart's function and structure with modern pathology-based testing that uncovers metabolic risk factors.

Clinical Screening

From a cardiologist’s perspective, the screening involves direct assessments of the heart’s mechanics. Dr. Bharath A P details the components: “The screening can include listening to the heartbeat, checking blood pressure, and doing tests like ECG or echocardiogram to see how the heart is working”. These clinical checks are particularly useful for children who already display symptoms like chest pain, fainting, or breathing problems. They are also vital for children with a known family history of heart disease.

Pathology-Based Screening

The modern threats to heart health: obesity, high cholesterol, and inflammation, often start silently and require blood tests to uncover. This is the domain of pathology-based screening.

Dr. Mayanka Lodha Seth stresses the importance of this method, particularly in light of modern lifestyle disorders.

“With the increasing incidences of lifestyle related disorders,” she says, “it is recommended to start with preventive screening at an early age starting with pathology-based screenings of blood sugar levels, lipid profile, vitamin deficiencies, and inflammation markers”.

A pediatric screening report can reveal hidden risk markers that might otherwise go unnoticed, such as high LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, elevated CRP (a marker of inflammation), or abnormal blood sugar levels. This approach can detect congenital abnormalities in infants, but also identify metabolic or lifestyle-linked risks in older children like high cholesterol, insulin resistance, or even early signs of fatty liver. These conditions may not show visible symptoms but can silently progress if undiagnosed.

The two methods work in tandem:

“If these [pathology results] indicate abnormalities, more advanced evaluations like ECGs or echocardiography can be advised in consultation with a pediatric cardiologist,” explains Dr. Mayanka. The biggest advantage of this combined approach is, quite simply, prevention.

The Alarming Indian Context: Congenital Burden and Acquired Risks

The urgency for widespread pediatric heart screening is magnified by the severe burden of heart disease among India's young population.

Dr. Mayanka highlights the scale of the congenital issue: “In India, the burden of pediatric heart disease has been rising congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect, affecting nearly 2 lakh babies every year”. To put this into perspective, medical studies and organizations like Children's HeartLink estimate that more than 200,000 children are born each year in India with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD), making it a leading cause of infant mortality.

Equally concerning is the rapid rise in acquired risk factors. Dr. Mayanka adds, “What is equally concerning is the increase in acquired heart risks among children, linked to obesity, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and even air pollution”. This trend is not anecdotal; she points out that “recent studies suggest that risk factors like childhood obesity and elevated cholesterol are climbing steadily in urban India, setting the stage for cardiovascular problems much earlier than before”. Early screening can help identify these silent risk factors before they manifest as clinical disease.

Screening from the Womb: The Youngest Age to Start

The question of when screening should begin has a clear answer from cardiology: often, before the child is even born.

Dr. Bharath A P confirms that “Heart screening can be done at any age, even in newborn babies, if there is a need”. Infants can certainly get it done, especially if they show signs like bluish skin, trouble feeding, or fast breathing, or if there is a family history of heart disease. Basic heart checks are part of routine newborn care, and special tests like an echocardiogram can help find heart defects early.

“So yes, infants can have heart screening if doctors suspect a problem or for early detection,” he concludes. For healthy children without symptoms, screening is usually done later during regular check-ups or before starting sports.

For acquired conditions, the timeline differs. Dr. Mayanka notes. “For acquired conditions, pathology-based screenings can begin from school-going age, especially if there’s a family history of diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, or sudden cardiac events”. However, she stresses that it is not appropriate to set a minimum age, as “there is no harm in getting the preventive checkups done as they are completely non-invasive and have zero side-effects, so they can be for anyone and everyone”.

The Inherited Risk: Genetics and Family History

For families with a history of heart disease, heart screening transcends prevention and becomes a crucial tool for genetic surveillance.

Dr. Bharath A P emphasizes that if a parent or a close family member has a history of heart disease, “genetic testing and early heart screening for their child become very important”. Some heart problems can be inherited, and checking the child early can help detect issues before symptoms appear.

The power of combining clinical and genetic studies is undeniable. Dr. Bharath confirms, “Yes, paediatric heart screenings combined with genetic studies can help identify inherited heart conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or arrhythmia syndromes”.

• Screenings like ECG, echocardiogram, and physical exams detect early signs of a heart structure or rhythm problem.
• Genetic testing finds changes in genes that significantly increase the risk of these conditions, even before symptoms appear.

“Knowing about these risks early allows doctors to monitor the child closely, start treatment if needed, and give advice on safe activities,” says Dr. Bharath. Ultimately, combining both methods gives the best chance to prevent serious complications and helps families take timely steps to protect the child’s heart health.

Preventing the Unthinkable: Screening and Sudden Cardiac Arrest

The most compelling argument for pediatric heart screening is its direct link to reducing the devastating rise of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in young adults.

Dr. Mayanka Lodha Seth warns, “India has witnessed a worrying trend of sudden cardiac arrests in people in their 20s and even before that”. This is not always a random tragedy;

“Many of these are linked to risk factors that begin silently in childhood like obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol”. By screening early, parents ensure timely intervention that may help reduce the likelihood of such tragic events later in life.

The role of the pathologist’s report is vital here. Screening allows for the timely detection of conditions like abnormal lipid levels, inflammation markers, vitamin D deficiency, or thyroid dysfunction, all of which can influence heart health. Early interventions, such as lifestyle changes, dietary improvements, or medical management, can significantly reduce the long-term risk of a major cardiac event.

A Non-Favorable Report is a Roadmap, Not a Life Sentence

What happens when a child’s heart screening reveals a risk factor, such as high cholesterol or elevated inflammation? The doctors’ shared advice is clear: avoid panic and embrace action.

Dr Mayanka Lodha Seth has a definitive perspective: “A non-favorable report is not a life sentence it’s a roadmap.” She goes further to challenge the societal perception of health checks:

“We should be scared of detecting chronic conditions at later stages and not identifying it at early stage that allows us to take charge, but don’t know why the society has built it otherwise”. She reminds us that a healthcare journey doesn’t end, but “starts with diagnosis”.

For parents receiving a challenging report, the focus must shift immediately to lifestyle corrections.

“Infact, parents can focus on lifestyle corrections balanced diets, regular physical activity, limiting processed foods, and ensuring adequate sleep,” she advises. In most cases, these steps can significantly improve outcomes. Medical guidance should always be followed, but “panic only delays practical action and wellness”.

Furthermore, Dr. Mayanka highlights the immense long-term benefit of this early intervention: “Also, if prevention is introduced at an early stage, it will become a lifestyle for children making their overall life healthy and filled with wellness”.

For parents worried about exposing their children to hospitals and testing labs, accessibility is no longer an excuse.

“This is where home collection services by Redcliffe Labs help. Health checkups are highly accessible,” says Dr. Mayanka. Trained phlebotomists can collect samples at home with minimal or no discomfort , and reports are shared digitally, effectively reducing both hospital exposure and anxiety for families.

As Dr. Bharath A P summarizes, “If these are detected early, doctors can give the right treatment and prevent future complications”. By embracing the dual approach of clinical and pathology-based screening, parents and doctors can work together to give every child the best possible defense against the rising tide of cardiac risk.