Emergence of a highly mutated COVID variant across four nations: expert insights

A new and highly mutated lineage of the COVID-19 virus, known as BA.2.86, has been discovered in various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, and Denmark. This variant has raised concerns among public health experts due to its 36 distinct mutations.

BA.2.86 stands out because it possesses 36 mutations that distinguish it from the currently dominant XBB.1.5 variant. Despite these mutations, there is currently no evidence to suggest that this new variant spreads more rapidly or causes more severe illness than its predecessors. As a precautionary measure, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has urged individuals to continue following COVID protection guidelines, as they have done in the past.

Variants currently in circulation

In recent times, there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in the US, Europe, and Asia. However, these cases are mainly attributed to the EG.5 'Eris' subvariant, which is a descendant of the Omicron lineage initially identified in November 2021. The EG.5 variant is responsible for about 17% of new COVID-19 cases in the US, slightly surpassing the 16% attributed to the next most common lineage, XBB.1.16, according to the latest estimates from the US CDC. The World Health Organization has classified EG.5 as a "variant of interest," indicating that it should be closely monitored.

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Dr. S. Wesley Long, the medical director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist Hospital, explained that BA.2.86 diverges from the variant that current vaccines are designed to combat. Its many mutations have made BA.2.86 structurally distinct from earlier variants. Experts are particularly concerned about its potential for high transmissibility and its ability to outcompete other strains or evade immune responses.

Impact and future concerns

While COVID-related hospitalizations have remained relatively low, they have been on the rise since early July, as reported by the CDC. Data indicates that people infected with the Eris variant are not as severely ill as in previous waves of infection. However, a wider spread of the BA.2.86 variant could pose a greater threat, particularly to vulnerable populations, warns Dr. Eric Topol, a genomics expert and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California.

Despite the emergence of new variants, vaccines continue to be a strong defense against severe illness and death. Booster shots are being tailored to target the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5. Moderna has reported promising preliminary trial data suggesting that newer vaccines are effective against both the Eris variant and a related variant called Fornax, which is circulating in the US.

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In conclusion, the discovery of the BA.2.86 variant with its numerous mutations highlights the ongoing evolution of the COVID-19 virus. While experts are concerned about its potential impact and transmissibility, vaccines remain a vital tool in the fight against severe illness and death, offering hope in this ever-evolving battle against the virus. Public health measures and surveillance efforts will continue to play a crucial role in managing the spread of new variants.