Coronavirus variant discovered in Altai region identified
The world is once again grappling with a new strain of the coronavirus, this time named "Stratus." Classified as a sub-strain of the Omicron variant, Stratus is rapidly spreading and becoming dominant in multiple countries, including Russia.
According to the World Health Organization, Stratus is a variant under monitoring due to its increased transmissibility and ability to evade immunity from prior infection or vaccination. The latest international data highlight that Stratus is present in 38 countries, with a surge in India, Spain, the UK, and the US. While Russia has not been singled out for the highest rates, it is implied to be affected given the global spread.
In Russia, two subvariants of Stratus (both labeled XFG or closely related) are increasingly predominant, replacing previous strains like the Nimbus variant that caused painful sore throats. A distinctive symptom of the Stratus strain is a scratchy or raspy voice, which sets it apart from other COVID-19 variants. Symptoms overall remain mild to moderate, often resembling a cold or flu, which may lead people to underestimate their infection and contribute to wider spread.
Preliminary estimates suggest that Stratus does not lead to more severe disease progression and is not more contagious than previous virus variants. As of mid-2025, there are 114 registered cases of Stratus infection in the country, with cases reported in various regions including Moscow, Magadan, Novosibirsk, Volgograd, Kaliningrad, Sverdlovsk, Smolensk, St. Petersburg, Altai Krai, Altai Republic, Khanty-Mansi, and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrugs. Rospotrebnadzor, the Russian federal service for supervision of consumer rights protection and human wellbeing, has confirmed these cases.
In response to the spread of Stratus, a preventive department has opened at the first polyclinic in Biysk, a city in Russia. However, there is no current verified information on the status of this department specifically for the Stratus variant or COVID-19 in general. Khafizov, the head of Rospotrebnadzor, emphasized that the risk to society from Stratus remains low.
In conclusion, the Stratus variant is spreading rapidly and becoming dominant globally, including likely in Russia. Its unique symptom of hoarseness may help early detection, but detailed regional prevalence data within Russia and specific updates about preventive initiatives in Biysk are not yet available. It is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant, follow public health guidelines, and seek medical attention if experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
In Russia, the Stratus variant, a sub-strain of the Omicron variant, is becoming increasingly predominant, causing distinctive symptoms such as hoarseness. Healthcare professionals are advised to remains vigilant and seek updates about preventive initiatives, especially in Biysk where a preventive department has been established, to combat the spread of this rapidly spreading medical-condition related to the coronavirus, which falls under the broad category of health-and-wellness concerns.
