New Covid-19 strains are constantly emerging across the globe. After Eris first led to increased hospitalisations in the UK and other European countries, another strain has been detected since late July - named BA.2.86 - a sub-variant of Omicron. After the detection of only three cases, the World Health Organization has declared it a variant under monitoring (VUM) due to the large number of mutations it carries. WHO designates a Covid-19 variant as 'under monitoring' when it exhibits characteristics like heightened disease severity and immunity evasion and may be upgraded to WHO's list of variants of interest or concern. Nicknamed 'Pirola' by variant hunters on social media, BA.2.86 has been found in countries such as Israel, Denmark, the USA, and the UK. What exactly is the variant BA.2.86? According to Dr Sabine Kapasi, public health leader, UNDAC & Geneva, BA.2.86 is a newly identified strain of the SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the Covid-19 disease. "Discovered amid a resurgence of Covid-19 cases across the globe, the variant has drawn attention due to its significant number of genetic mutations. These mutations have occurred at crucial points in the virus' structure - potentially allowing it to evade the immune response from prior infections or vaccinations," she told indianexpress.com. Explaining its distinctive features compared to previous variants, Dr. Divya Singh, Senior Surgeon, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Director, Maaiya Social Change Front Foundation, said that BA.2.86 variant stands out from its predecessors due to the large number of "genetic changes it possesses, which amounts to around 36 mutations relative to the XBB.1.5 variant". "Among all, certain mutations are positioned on the virus's spike protein - a vital component exploited by the virus to infiltrate human cells," however, she added that further investigation is imperative to fully comprehend the consequences of these mutations on transmission dynamics and immune interactions. Should we be concerned? While so far there is no evidence that BA.2.86 spreads faster or causes more serious illness than previous variants, Dr Kapasi pointed out that a notable challenge in the analysis of the variant is the reduced testing and genomic analysis of new Covid-19 cases in many countries. "While it is too early to definitively establish its threat level, the sheer number of mutations suggests that it could exhibit a higher propensity for transmission and pose challenges to the effectiveness of existing countermeasures. The central question that looms is whether this variant will prove to be highly transmissible - potentially leading to an increased burden on vulnerable populations," she said. Like previous variants, BA.2.86 is also an air-borne virus, according to Dr Neeraj Kumar Tulara, General Medicine & Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. LH Hiranandani Hospital, Powai. "It can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, close contact with the infected person and surface contamination," he said. Precautionary measures The Centres for Disease Control and Preventions said its advice on protecting oneself from Covid-19 remains the same including handwashing. Dr Kapasi said that given the evolving nature of the pandemic, it is crucial to adopt a proactive approach to safeguard public health. "Authorities and individuals should stay informed about the latest developments regarding variant BA.2.86 and other emerging strains. While more data is needed to fully comprehend the implications of this variant, individuals can still take preventive measures to minimise their risk of infection," she added. Concluding, Dr Tulara said, "Continuing to follow established guidelines such as staying up to date with vaccinations and booster shots, wearing masks in enclosed spaces and crowds, practicing good hand hygiene, and maintaining social distancing can help mitigate the spread of this and other variants." 📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don't miss out on the latest updates!
