Contagious Kraken variant of Covid-19 identified in Ireland 

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said there is a risk the new variant may have an increasing effect on the number of cases of Covid across Europe. Picture: iStock 

A new sub-variant of Covid-19 which is more contagious and is surging across America has now been identified in Ireland, although in low numbers.

XBB.1.5, nicknamed Kraken, is estimated to be 113% more transmissible than older forms, European health authorities have said.