Unveiling BA.2.86: A Highly Mutated COVID Variant Emerges in the US

The CDC and WHO have identified a new lineage of the virus that causes COVID-19, known as BA.2.86 or Pirola. This variant has over 30 mutations, more than other circulating variants, and has been detected in multiple countries including the United States, Denmark, Israel, and the U.K. While there have been only a small number of confirmed cases, scientists are still investigating if these mutations may result in a higher rate of transmission. Symptoms of Pirola are not yet known, but individuals are advised to follow the same precautions as with existing variants.