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CDC Identifies Highly Mutated BA.2.86 COVID Variant in US, Denmark, and Israel
Published On : 2023-08-18T21:26:09+0530 [ IST ] |
Author : Mayur_Tembhare
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BA.2.86 has been classified as a “variant under monitoring” by Worl Health Organization (WHO) due to the large number of mutations it carries.
World :
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Thursday that a novel and highly mutated lineage of the COVID-19 virus, designated as BA.2.86, has been identified and is currently being monitored. This new variant has been detected in multiple countries including the United States, Denmark, and Israel.
In a tweet, the CDC informed the public about the emergence of the BA.2.86 variant and assured that despite this new development, the recommended precautions to protect oneself from COVID-19 remain the same.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized BA.2.86 as a "variant under monitoring," due to the presence of a substantial number of mutations it carries. However, as of now, only a limited number of sequences of this variant have been reported across a few countries.
BA.2.86 displays notable genetic divergence from the currently dominant XBB.1.5 COVID variant, encompassing a total of 36 mutations. Dr. S. Wesley Long, the medical director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist, likened this variant to an earlier branch of the virus.
While the discovery of the BA.2.86 variant raises questions about its potential impact, experts remain cautious in their assessments. It is uncertain whether this variant will gain a competitive advantage over other strains of the virus or possess the ability to evade immune responses triggered by prior infection or vaccination.
Preliminary analyses suggest that the BA.2.86 variant may exhibit comparable or even greater resistance to antibodies induced by pre-Omicron and first-generation Omicron variants. Jesse Bloom, a virologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, emphasized this observation.
Notably, the ongoing development of COVID booster shots takes into account the evolving nature of the virus. The upcoming booster shots will specifically target the XBB.1.5 subvariant of Omicron.
As researchers and health officials continue to monitor the BA.2.86 variant's behavior and implications, the global community remains committed to staying informed and prepared in the face of potential viral mutations.
NoneSource : Hindustan Times
Tags : Mutations , Vaccines , COVID Variant , Monitoring , CDC , BA.2.86 , WHO ,
Summary : The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed the discovery of a new and highly mutated lineage of the COVID-19 virus, named BA.2.86. This variant has been detected in the United States, Denmark, and Israel. Although classified as a "variant under monitoring" by the World Health Organization (WHO), only a few sequences of this variant have been reported globally. With 36 mutations from the currently dominant XBB.1.5 COVID variant, BA.2.86 is considered an earlier branch of the virus. Experts remain uncertain about its potential to out-compete other strains or evade immune responses from prior infection or vaccination. Notably, upcoming COVID booster shots will target the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5.
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