A new variant of Covid-19, Arcturus, was reported in Brazil this Monday (1st). Despite being classified as a subvariant, infectious disease specialist Amory Miel from the HSC (Santa Catarina Hospital) in Blumenau warns that it is “virtually a new virus”.

UFSC begins producing tests to detect novel coronavirus – Photo: Robson Valverde/Secom/Disclosure/ND

The infectologist explains that the fact that there are no longer restrictions preventing the transmission of the virus creates ideal conditions for Covid-19 to produce new mutations “at will”.

Although Arcturus is classified as a sub-variant of XBB.1.16 Covid-19, the doctor explained that the genetic structure of the virus strain is very different from the genome found in the Covid-19 variant discovered in December 2019 in China.

“If you compare Sars-Cov-1, registered between 2002 and 2003, with Sars-Cov-2, which appeared in China [a partir de 2019]there were enough differences that they could be considered separate viruses,” he explains.

“With Arcturus there is a difference in genetic structure, you hardly recognize the current virus as the one found in China. That among us infectious disease specialists is the consensus. This is practically a new virus,” said Miel.

Bivalent vaccine protects against Arcturus variant

The doctor points out that the bivalent Covid-19 vaccine protects against more serious conditions and deaths that can be caused by Arcturus, and pharmacy tests are still able to detect the disease.

Cases of infection with this variant may be characterized by eye irritation, fever, and dry cough. Miel explains that the symptoms of Arcturus can resemble allergic rhinitis.

“Arcturus causes manifestations slightly different from traditional infections, conditions similar to allergic rhinitis.”

“The script is a total epidemiological ignorance”

The infectologist said that despite the fact that the first case was confirmed in Sao Paulo, it is impossible to measure how much Arcturus has already spread.

“The scenario is a complete epidemiological and statistical ignorance, we do not have reliable information on the number of cases in Brazil. You have no more data, you do not notify. We live with the virus as if the pandemic is over.”

Last month, the WHO (World Health Organization) classified Arcturus as a variant of interest, which are genetic modifications that could affect the original characteristics of the virus, with growth advantages over other strains circulating in more than one region of the world.

Arcturus was first discovered earlier this year in India and has become the dominant strain in the country.

So far, the city has not seen an increase in the incidence or severity of the disease, according to the São Paulo municipal health department. However, according to the WHO, Arcturus may spread faster than previous ones.

Vaccination against Covid-19

Since April 24, the Ministry of Health has extended vaccination with a bivalent dose against Covid-19 to the entire population of the country over 18 years of age. Due to varying conditions for the availability of immunizers, each State adopts its own schedule for allowing dosing.