BA.2.86 Monitoring Underway: Simultaneous Infections in the US, UK, Denmark Raise Concerns

WHO Adds BA.2.86 Variant to Watchlist Amidst Global Apprehension

The emergence of the BA.2.86 variant has ignited worldwide concern as COVID-19 experts closely monitor its impact. On the 18th of this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) included BA.2.86 on its surveillance radar. This variant falls under the BA.2 lineage of the Omicron variant, exhibiting over 30 additional mutations in the spike protein compared to its predecessor, BA.2.

The spike protein is the weapon the COVID-19 virus employs to invade the human body. Higher mutation rates in the spike protein increase the likelihood of evading existing immune responses.

Dubbed "Pirola," BA.2.86 has recently emerged simultaneously across several continents. To date, a total of four countries have reported BA.2.86 infections. Following the first case in Israel on the 13th, infections have been confirmed in Denmark (3 cases), the United States (2 cases), and the United Kingdom (1 case). The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) remarked that they are "currently conducting a detailed assessment" and will provide "additional information at the appropriate time."

Health experts remain cautious about the emergence and risks associated with this variant. Christian Andersen, a researcher at Scripps Research Institute and an infectious disease expert, stated that BA.2.86 "possesses all the typical characteristics of variants that could become dominant."

Francois Balloux, Director of the UCL Genetics Institute, labeled BA.2.86 as the "most conspicuous virus among the variants that emerged after the discovery of Omicron at the end of 2021." He speculated that the most plausible scenario could involve the virus persisting in the bodies of immunocompromised individuals for over a year and then re-spreading within the community after acquiring mutations.

However, experts currently refrain from definitive conclusions regarding the spread and extent of danger posed by BA.2.86. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at UCSF, stated, "It's possible that we won't see a surge in BA.2.86 cases since group immunity has developed due to exposure to various variants."

While the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) diligently monitors BA.2.86, they emphasize that "it remains uncertain whether this variant will pose a greater public health risk than the currently circulating variants."

In the face of uncertainty, the emergence of BA.2.86 has prompted heightened global attention and a proactive approach to understanding and managing its potential implications.