WHO Monitoring Highly Mutated New Strain of COVID-19, Now Spotted in Michigan
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.
By Physician’s Briefing Staff HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, Aug. 18, 2023 -- A new COVID-19 variant with very few known cases but many mutations has been swiftly moved into the World Health Organization "variant under monitoring" classification.
So far, four known cases of the variant, dubbed BA.2.86, have been identified worldwide, including one case in Michigan. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that it is tracking the new variant.
More data are needed to understand whether or not the variant will be dangerous with its many mutations, the WHO said. BA.2.86 includes dozens of genetic changes, CBS News reported. That is similar to the differences observed when the original omicron variant emerged in 2021.
It is possible the variant has been spreading undetected for some time, because there are reports of it in countries on three continents. In addition to the United States, cases have now been spotted in Denmark and Israel, CBS News reported.
The University of Michigan reported the first U.S. case as part of "baseline surveillance" at the university's clinical microbiology lab. Some of the mutations are in parts of the virus that could help it evade immunity provided by prior vaccination or infection.
Other questions remain, including whether BA.2.86 can outcompete existing, fast-spreading strains descended from the XBB omicron variant that now predominate. If it fails to do so, it may not pose any threat, experts believe.
One such XBB descendent, the EG.5 variant, is steadily climbing in dominance and now makes up one in every five COVID-19 cases in the United States, the CDC said. Right now, the agency said BA.2.86 will remain grouped with its forbearer omicron BA.2 until it reaches at least 1 percent of known cases.
BA.2.86 is emerging just as vaccine makers are preparing rollouts of a new generation of COVID-19 vaccines, due for launch in September. Those shots are targeted to the XBB strains of the virus, of which EG.5 is closely related, CBS News reported.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted August 2023
Further Support and Information on COVID-19
Read this next
Residual Risk Seen for Death, Postacute Sequelae in Third Year After COVID-19 Hospitalization
THURSDAY, June 13, 2024 -- For individuals with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the risks for death and postacute sequelae of COVID-19...
Systemic Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccine Tied to Greater nAB Response
TUESDAY, June 11, 2024 -- Short-term systemic side effects of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccine are associated with greater long-lasting...
Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir No Aid for Long COVID Symptoms
MONDAY, June 10, 2024 -- A 15-day course of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NMV/r) is safe but does not demonstrate a significant benefit for improving postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.