Global Concern: Highly Mutated Covid Variant Spreads Across Four Countries, Including US

Scientists are racing to understand a highly mutated variant of the coronavirus, known as BA.2.86 or Pirola, which has been detected in four countries, including the US. The variant has more than 30 amino acid changes to its spike protein compared to its closest ancestor, BA.2. The World Health Organization has designated BA.2.86 as a "variant under monitoring," urging countries to track and report its sequences. While only six sequences have been reported so far, epidemiologists are concerned that there may be more cases. It is still too early to determine the severity or contagiousness of the variant, but researchers are closely monitoring its spread and impact on immunity.