
"Emerging BA.2.86 Variant Poses Heightened Threat to Lung Cells and Vaccine Efficacy"
A highly mutated Covid variant, BA.2.86 "Pirola," closely related to the dominant JN.1 strain, has been found to fuse to lung cells faster than other Omicron strains, potentially indicating a more severe form of the virus. Experts suggest that this variant may exhibit signs of older, more deadly strains, raising concerns about the severity of the latest wave of coronavirus. Research indicates that BA.2.86 binds more efficiently to cells in the lower lung, resembling traits of more deadly strains before Omicron, and may pose an elevated health threat compared to previous Omicron sublineages.













