WHO Tracking New Covid Variant BA.2.86 With Numerous Mutations
- Posted on August 19, 2023
- News
- By Sunshine
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A fresh Covid-19 variant lineage, denoted as BA.2.86, has captured the interest of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
This variant, distinguished by a significant number of mutations, is currently being monitored by health agencies in several nations.
The CDC's surveillance efforts have brought to light the emergence of the BA.2.86 lineage, which has surfaced in countries like Israel, Denmark, and the United States. Officials from the CDC revealed that their ongoing investigation aims to gather comprehensive information about this novel lineage.
In a message shared on Twitter, "We are keeping tabs on a new lineage of the Covid-19 virus, named BA.2.86, detected in the United States, Denmark, and Israel. As we continue to learn more, we will provide further insights."
Echoing the CDC's alert, the WHO has classified BA.2.86 as a "monitored variant." This designation comes in light of the variant's substantial mutation load. While the variant's presence has been recorded in only a few nations and a limited number of sequences, the WHO remains cautious about its potential implications.
As the Covid-19 virus naturally evolves over time, the WHO emphasised that most mutations generally have minor effects on the virus's characteristics. However, certain mutations can impact transmissibility, disease severity, and the efficacy of vaccines and treatments. As the BA.2.86 lineage takes centre stage, health organisations worldwide are collaborating to swiftly address any challenges that might arise from the evolution of the virus, ensuring the ongoing protection of public health.
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