Health experts across the globe have been issuing warnings over the latest strain of Covid-19 to rear its head.
Cases are on the rise in many regions, thanks to what has been described as the “sister” of Omicron.
BA.2 is reportedly much more contagious than the existing Omicron variant which is already dominant in Ireland.
Professor Luke O’Neill told Newstalk that he believes the mysterious new strain could land on our shores in a matter of weeks.
Although local health authorities continue to monitor the situation in Ireland, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has said there is no talk of new restrictions right now.
The BA.2 strain has now been detected in more than 74 countries worldwide and just last week, the World Health Organisation issued a warning on the new Omicron strain describing it as the most transmissible variant seen since the pandemic began.
There are two common symptoms of Covid that have been found more prominent in those infected with the latest type of the virus - dizziness and a runny nose.
“One in 20 new cases had this variant last week, and as it's doubling every few days this should predominate within a month," according to lead scientist Professor Tim Spector of the ZOE Covid Study.
"The ZOE data has also seen more confirmed reinfections in recent weeks with around 7% of new symptomatic cases having previously tested positive, suggesting a natural infection with Delta may not offer much protection."
If you develop these symptoms, experts are saying you should be cautious and test - assuming you are positive until a test proves negative.
You also should look out for the following symptoms amid this second wave:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
READ MORE: Symptoms of new Deltacron Covid strain as experts warn new variant could arrive in Ireland
READ MORE: One Irish county recording highest Covid numbers by far amid fears of another Omicron wave
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