New Variant of Omicron, BA.2.86, Raises Concerns among Health Officials
As the EG.5 strain of the coronavirus continues to spread across the country, public health officials are now raising concerns about another new variant, BA.2.86, which has been given the nickname “Pirola.” This newly designed version of Omicron has more than 30 mutations to its spike protein, a higher number compared to previously detected Omicron subvariants. While cases of BA.2.86 have been reported in the U.S. and five other countries, they do not appear to be related, causing further worry for health officials.
Medical experts are questioning if the significant number of mutations in “Pirola” has the potential to bypass immune defenses from both natural infection and prior vaccination. Dr. Scott Roberts, an infectious diseases specialist at Yale Medicine, stated, “The biggest concern has been the number of mutation differences with BA.2.86. When we went from XBB.1.5 to EG.5, that was maybe one or two mutations, and they were expected. But these massive shifts, which we also saw from Delta to Omicron, are worrisome.”
In a risk assessment conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on August 23, it was stated that there is currently no evidence that the BA.2.86 variant causes more severe illness. However, the CDC acknowledged that this could potentially change over time. Additionally, BA.2.86 has been detected in wastewater, with authorities in New York City confirming its presence.
On the other hand, the Chicago Department of Public Health reported that the variant has not been found in Chicago’s wastewater, providing some relief for the city.
As for the symptoms associated with BA.2.86 infections, little is known due to the limited number of cases. Dr. Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at Johns Hopkins University, stated that there is currently no data on specific symptoms caused by the variant.
According to the CDC, existing tests and medications used to treat COVID-19 “appear to be effective” against BA.2.86. However, there are concerns about its transmissibility.
On another note, the EG.5 variant, also known as “Eris,” is believed to be more transmissible than the previously dominant XBB.1.16 variant. Officials at Yale Medicine state that EG.5 has a spike protein mutation that allows it to evade some immunity acquired from infection or vaccination, but they do not believe it causes more severe illness in most cases.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that EG.5 causes unique symptoms compared to other Omicron variants. It primarily affects the upper respiratory tract, causing symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, and other cold-like symptoms. Fever and changes in taste and smell can also occur. However, in individuals with compromised immune systems or those aged 65 and older, the virus can lead to more severe illness in the lower respiratory tract.
The good news is that a new booster shot specifically targeting the XBB.1.5 subvariant, which is expected to boost immunity to EG.5 as well, is being formulated by Moderna, Pfizer, and Novovax. This new booster is expected to be available in the coming weeks.
As the BA.2.86 variant continues to be monitored, health officials emphasize the importance of taking precautions such as getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and following guidelines to slow the spread of the virus.