New Omicron Variant Strain Pirola Identified in Multiple US States
A new variant of the Omicron strain, known as Pirola or BA.2.86, has been detected in three states within the United States: Michigan, Virginia, and Ohio. The first case of Pirola in the US was reported in Michigan and involved an older woman who had recently returned from Japan.
During a World Health Organization (WHO) news briefing, authorities announced that they currently classify Pirola as part of the Omicron variant family. However, this classification is subject to change if the strain spreads further. Pirola exhibits 30 mutations from the dominant Omicron lineage, BA.2, which was prevalent in 2022.
Additional data on the Pirola strain is expected to be available within a week, providing researchers with valuable insight into its characteristics and potential implications.
In a Risk Assessment Statement released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), concerns were raised regarding the large number of mutations present in Pirola. The CDC suggested that these mutations may allow the variant to evade immunity from previous infections and vaccination to a greater extent than other recent variants. Early analysis suggests that the difference in escape potential between Pirola and other variants, such as Arcturus (XBB.1.5), may be comparable to the gap between Omicron (BA.2) and Arcturus, which emerged almost a year apart.
The Pirola strain was initially identified in Israel and has since been reported in several other countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Denmark. Currently, the predominant Omicron subvariant in the US is Eris (EG.5), closely followed by the XBB.1.16 strain, according to estimates from the CDC.
Arcturus is also a variant stemming from the highly contagious Omicron strain, underscoring the prevalence and adaptability of this lineage.
As the situation continues to evolve, readers are encouraged to check back with Daily Voice for the latest updates.