CDC
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.
| Aug. 18, 2023, 3:48 p.m.
CDC Identifies Highly Mutated BA.2.86 COVID Variant in US, Denmark, and Israel
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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