Kraken: symptoms and contagiousness of the new Covid variant

Kraken is the new Covid variant that has been identified in several countries around the world. It is a variant of Omicron that is spreading rapidly. Its very name hints at the fears surrounding its spread. Indeed, Kraken is named after a gigantic sea monster shaped like a giant octopus. Just like an octopus, it can spread on several fronts, and this keeps the experts of the World Health Organization (WHO) vigilant. For now, it is classified as a Variant of Interest (VOI) and not a Variant of Concern (VOC). The variant is currently under constant monitoring, and the WHO gathers information from all the countries where it is detected.

Kraken: what it is

Kraken is a variant of Covid-19, the pandemic that led to lockdowns and restrictions starting in 2020. It is a mutated form of Omicron and is highly transmissible among people who come into contact with it. It derives from Gryphon and Cerberus, the variants that have spread especially in the United States and that affected as many as 41% of those who tested positive in the state of New York. Kraken and Gryphon have a lot in common from a scientific point of view, in particular their contagiousness, since the new variant is easily transmitted. The scientific code assigned to Kraken is XBB.1.5. It is spreading mainly in China and the USA.

The symptoms of Kraken

The symptoms of Kraken are fairly common, as they were with the variants that preceded it, namely Cerberus and Gryphon. The difference is that the new variant is more resistant to the body’s immune defenses and is better at evading antibodies, which can no longer act as a strong shield. Those affected do not have severe symptoms because the neutralizing antibodies induced in our bodies by vaccines recognize more elements of the virus. In people with adequate vaccine coverage, T lymphocytes are activated that prevent severe symptoms, reducing the effects of the infection to those similar to a seasonal flu. The symptoms of Kraken are:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Rheumatic pain
• Joint pain
• Tiredness
• Exhaustion

What to do when symptoms appear

The first thing to do is to protect others by putting on a mask immediately, even if we are convinced we have a simple cold. It is the first step to avoid widespread infection should a Covid-positive result be found later. It is a precaution that costs nothing but prevents a great many infections among family, coworkers, friends and the community. The mask should be worn in public places, on public transportation and in crowded places, both indoors and outdoors. In addition, in enclosed spaces, such as schools and offices, the air should be continuously renewed. The dry air that heating can create in enclosed spaces can favor the spread. Hygiene is essential because bacteria that settle on the hands can be passed on to other people.

Getting a swab test when symptoms appear

When symptoms appear, you need to get a swab test immediately, even a rapid one, and repeat it if symptoms persist over the following days. Unfortunately, the Kraken variant of Covid can be mistaken for a common flu, such as the Australian flu, and this might lead people who still have symptoms not to undergo swab screening, which is essential to avoid infecting other people in case of a positive result.

The contagiousness of Kraken

Kraken is considered a highly contagious variant. According to the first studies, not carried out in Italy, those affected could infect up to 15 people. Compared with the transmissibility of previous variants, this is a significant number. Virologists consider it both infectious and immune-evasive, because it partly hinders the antibodies produced by the vaccine or by recovery in people who have already been infected. Fortunately, vaccine coverage manages to protect against severe symptoms and to avoid hospitalizations and deaths. The bivalent vaccine is the most effective at producing antibodies and creates a shield against the variant’s contagiousness, a shield that still lets Covid infect the person but without the spread of severe symptoms.

Where Kraken is spreading

The two countries where the Kraken variant is most widespread are China and the United States, where it reaches impressive numbers. In the Asian country, the protocols of the first wave of Covid have been activated. In fact, in China the authorities have ordered the closure of entire provinces. In the United States, meanwhile, the CDC (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is constantly monitoring the situation. Infections, unfortunately, more than doubled in a week because of the high contagiousness. The new variant has also reached Europe. In total, 29 countries around the world have recorded cases of infection in their laboratories. It is already present in Italy as well, but not excessively, although Italy’s National Institute of Health is monitoring the trend of the infection. The first case occurred in Brescia. With the new government, data is released weekly and no longer every day. The last two periods, compared, have recorded a significant increase in infections.

The treatment to follow in case of infection

When we take a swab test and it shows a positive result for Covid, the first thing to do is to isolate and contact the doctor. In Italy, isolation lasts at least 5 days, which are extended by the 2 days following the end of symptoms. The general practitioner (GP) may prescribe an antiviral when the swab test finds a positive result for Covid. According to the New England Journal, which published a scientific study, Paxlovid, whose active ingredient is nirmatrelvir, has been effective against Omicron variants. It is essential for people who test positive not to take any initiative in taking medicines, but to contact the GP when a positive Covid result is found through the swab test.

The serology test to measure Covid-19 antibodies

To find out whether you have been exposed to the Kraken variant, you need to take the serology test for the level of Covid-19 antibodies. The test provides a quantitative measurement of total antibodies (IgG, IgA, IgM) against the RBD of the S1 subunit of the Spike protein. It counts, precisely, the antibodies that prevent the Spike protein found in Covid from binding to the cells of our body and starting the infection process. Through this test, which can be done at Nefrocenter Lab, it is possible to find out the degree of immunization, but not when the infection occurred in the case of someone who was unaware of being positive. The Nefrocenter group, with its founder, the entrepreneur Giovanni Lombardi, has always supported research against the Coronavirus.