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In recent weeks, we’ve heard about not one but two COVID-19 variants that have caused new waves of infections: the Eris and Pirola variants. But did you know a third variant has spread in the U.S.?
FL.1.5.1, better known as Fornax, has rarely been mentioned in the media compared to its counterparts. However, according to the CDC, it is now the second most common variant in the United States, accounting for 13.3% of Covid 19 cases.
Like the Eris and Pirola variants, Fornax is a strain of the original Omicron variant (which caused many children to fall ill with pseudocroup) that caused dire images in late 2021 and early 2022. As Vox reports, Fornax and Eris share a mutation called F456L that makes them more contagious, a trait Omikron is also known for.
While the Eris variant made it onto the World Health Organization’s list of “variants of interest,” Fornax did not. Nevertheless, Experts have been closely monitoring the strain.
Should we be worried about Fornax?
We don’t know how dangerous it could be, but Dr. Chris Papadopoulos, principal lecturer in public health at the University of Bedfordshire, said.
He explained that the fact that the variant has the F456L mutation is concerning because it could make it more transmissible than other variants.
He added that the variety is very similar to the Eris variant, especially in terms of symptoms:
“Based on what we know, the Fornax variant (FL.1.5.1) has symptoms similar to those of Eris and other COVID strains.
Unlike the original COVID-19 variants, the current symptoms are more flu-like and include cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and muscle aches (the flu and a cold can be easily differentiated).”
If you have these symptoms, you should get tested, although it is not mandatory, and avoid contact with others for five days.
- source: gentside.de/picture: pixabay.com
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