Concerns Rise as Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Spreads in US, Urging Increased COVID Surveillance

A highly mutated COVID-19 variant known as Pirola, with around 30 mutations, is spreading in the United States and other countries. The strain, identified as part of the Omicron variant family, has been detected in Michigan, Virginia, and Ohio. Scientists are concerned about the potential for greater immune escape compared to other recent variants. The Pirola variant was first detected in Israel and has since been found in several other countries. Meanwhile, a new Omicron subvariant called Eris is currently accounting for most COVID-19 cases in the US.