New BA.2.86 COVID-19 Variant Grabs Global Attention

Highlights:

WHO and CDC are closely monitoring the newly discovered COVID-19 variant BA.2.86
The strain carries a significant 36 mutations, raising concerns among health experts
While some predict a potential spike in cases, others believe it might be less transmissible than current dominant forms

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it is monitoring a new COVID-19 version with a large number of mutations. The variety, BA.2.86, has been found in a few countries, according to the UN health agency, and additional data is needed to understand the strain and its spread. The WHO, on the other hand, stated that the number of mutations "requires attention."

"WHO will update countries and the public as we learn more," the UN agency stated, advocating for improved COVID-19 surveillance, sequencing, and reporting as the virus circulates and evolves. The BA.2.86 strain was discovered on July 24, 2023, and was designated as a 'variant under surveillance' on August 17 ().

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‘New COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 with 36 mutations surfaces! Global health agencies are on high alert. What do the experts predict? #COVID19Update #BA286Variant’

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Newly Identified COVID-19 Strain BA.2.86 Spotted Globally

In a message on the social networking platform X, formerly known as Twitter, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said it is also closely monitoring the mutation. According to the CDC, the variation has only been found in Israel, Denmark, and the United States thus far.

"The CDC is monitoring a new strain of the virus that causes COVID-19." This lineage, known as BA.2.86, has been found in the United States, Denmark, and Israel. "The CDC is gathering more information and will share more about this lineage as we learn it," the organization stated in a blog post.

The WHO is actively monitoring three variants of interest and three variants of concern.

New COVID-19 Variant with 36 Mutations Surfaces

According to Reuters, Dr. S. Wesley Long, medical head of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist, the new lineage, which contains 36 mutations from the currently prevalent Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, "harkens back to an earlier branch" of the virus.

Omicron Variant of COVID-19
Omicron variant is a mutated strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with faster transmissibility and enhanced virulence compared to the original COVID-19 virus.

"My biggest concern would be that it could cause a bigger spike in cases than what we have seen in recent waves," Dr. Long was quoted as saying. "The boosters will still help you fight off COVID-19 in general."

In a slide deck, Jesse Bloom, a virologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, stated that the most likely scenario is that this variant is less transmissible than current dominant forms.

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Reference:

Tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants - (https://www.who.int/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants)

Source-Medindia

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