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Pirola

All articles tagged with #pirola

health2 years ago

"JN.1 Variant Surge: The New Face of the COVID Pandemic in the US and Beyond"

The new COVID-19 variant JN.1, nicknamed "Pirola," is causing concern among experts as it has become globally dominant with over 30 mutations, making it as genetically distinct from Omicron as Omicron was from the original virus. Despite its significant growth advantage, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not yet assigned it a Greek letter, which some experts criticize as a missed opportunity to alert the public and prompt government action. The WHO maintains that all new variants have been similar enough to Omicron to not warrant a new designation, but they are prepared to assign a new Greek letter if a variant shows a change in severity. Meanwhile, volunteer variant trackers have been giving memorable names to significant strains to communicate the evolving threat to the public.

health2 years ago

Rising Covid Variant Cases Spark Concerns of Winter Wave

Covid-19 hospitalizations have increased by 24% in the UK as the new variant Pirola spreads across the country. Pirola, also known as BA.2.86, is a highly mutated Omicron strain with 34 additional mutations that could potentially evade vaccines. The variant has been detected in 15 countries, including France, Japan, Australia, and Denmark. Common symptoms of Pirola include a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, sore throat, diarrhea, eye irritation, and rashes. The UK has seen a 24.8% increase in Covid patients being admitted to hospitals. The severity of the illness caused by Pirola is still uncertain, but there is no evidence suggesting it is more likely to cause serious illness than other Omicron variants. The autumn vaccine program has been brought forward as a precautionary measure.

health2 years ago

"Unraveling the Pirola Variant: Key Facts and Boosters' Longevity"

The BA.2.86 variant, also known as Pirola, has emerged with 35 new mutations, distinguishing it from previous Covid variants. Its severity is unknown due to limited samples, but it is prevalent worldwide. The variant's age is uncertain, and there is no evidence suggesting it is more severe or transmissible than other variants. BA.2.86 is a variant of interest as it has around 30 genetic changes from its parent variant, B82 (Omicron). The effectiveness of previous vaccines against Pirola is yet to be determined, but individuals with prior Covid infection and global vaccines may have some level of protection.

health2 years ago

"Emerging COVID Variant Sparks Concerns as New Vaccine Release Nears"

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects a refreshed booster vaccine to be available next month, but there are concerns about its effectiveness against a highly mutated coronavirus variant known as Pirola (BA.2.86). Pirola has more than 35 additional mutations compared to the variant included in this year's booster. Experts recommend waiting for the new booster, as the virus continues to evolve rapidly. The CDC's assessment states that Pirola's genetic differences are similar to those between the initial Omicron variant and previous variants. It remains uncertain whether Pirola will outcompete other variants and become dominant. Low uptake rates for boosters indicate that many people do not see the value in getting boosted, but experts emphasize the importance of maintaining immunity, especially for those at increased risk of severe COVID-19 complications.

health2 years ago

"California's Surging COVID-19 Cases Prompt Early Arrival of New Vaccine"

With coronavirus cases rising in California and across the nation, an updated COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be released earlier than anticipated. The new vaccine, designed against the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 (Kraken), is set to come out by mid-September. However, health officials are closely monitoring another subvariant, BA.2.86 (Pirola), which has distinct mutations and may pose challenges for the upcoming vaccine. Despite the increase in cases, hospitalizations remain relatively low, and the effectiveness of therapeutic drugs against COVID-19 is expected to be maintained. Precautions such as wearing masks in crowded indoor settings and getting tested for infection are advised. Free telehealth services and at-home COVID tests are available in California.

health2 years ago

The Lingering Battle: Confronting Long Covid's Exhausting Fatigue

The Eris sub-variant of the Omicron coronavirus, which is more transmissible but not necessarily more severe, has become the dominant sub-variant in the US. However, another sub-variant called Pirola, also known as BA.2.86, is emerging as a potential concern due to its high number of mutations and potential immune evasion. While it is too early to determine the transmissibility and severity of Pirola, it has been designated as a "variant under monitoring" by the World Health Organization. Vaccination and preventive measures remain crucial in combating these evolving sub-variants.

health2 years ago

Global Concerns Rise as Highly Mutated COVID Variant Spreads Across Countries

Israel has confirmed its first case of a new Covid variant, BA.2.86, which has been nicknamed "Pirola" by scientists. The variant has 36 mutations from the currently-dominant XBB.1.5 strain and is closely monitored by the World Health Organization. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that the same precautions for protecting against Covid-19 should be followed.