XFG variant, nicknamed ‘American Covid’, spreads globally

The XFG subvariant, also known as ‘Stratus’ or colloquially ‘American Covid’, is a descendant of the Omicron family. It emerged through the recombination of the LF.7 and LP.8 virus lines. Although first identified in January 2025, the variant has since spread globally.

Symptoms of the XFG variant generally resemble other Omicron subvariants, including fever, chills, headache, body aches, runny or congested nose, and hoarseness. Notably, the loss of taste and smell, which was common in earlier stages of the pandemic, occurs less frequently with these current circulating strains. Because symptoms overlap significantly with the flu and common colds, rapid tests are recommended for guidance, though a negative result does not definitively rule out infection.