New Covid Variant 'Pirola' raising alarm

Public health experts are expressing concern about a novel coronavirus variant known as BA.2.86. However, it's still too early to determine whether this variant is more contagious than existing strains of the virus, or if it will persist over time. The variant, informally referred to as "Pirola," derives its nickname from the combination of the Greek letters Pi and Rho. It exhibits over 30 mutations in its spike protein when compared to XBB.1.5, an Omicron variant.

Since the CDC's initial risk assessment, BA.2.86 has been detected in more countries through both human and wastewater samples. It has been found in at least four U.S. states, either in individuals or in wastewater samples. Researchers are currently conducting laboratory studies to gain insights into how the immune system responds to this virus.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the current tests for detecting COVID-19 and medications used for COVID-19 treatment, such as Paxlovid, Veklury, and Lagevrio, seem to maintain their effectiveness against BA.2.86. However, this variant might have a heightened ability to infect individuals who have previously had COVID-19 or have received vaccination against it.

Dr. Scott Roberts an associate medical director of infection prevention for the Yale School of Medicine advices that it’s important to remember that it’s still the same virus at its core, so the same prevention methods—masking, vaccination, and hand-washing, among others—can help people avoid infection.

Reference: Yale medicine