Just when we thought we were going back to “normalcy,” another wave of COVID-19 cases emerges. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the new variant known as BA.2.86, nicknamed “Pirola”, has more than 30 mutations in its spike protein compared to the previous variant of Omicron. The spike protein is what allows the virus to enter human cells and cause infection. The mRNA vaccines were developed to target the spike protein of COVID-19; this caused your body to be exposed to a piece of genetic material coding for the spike protein in hopes that the immune system would build a response to defeat the virus when exposed.

The fear that comes with the BA.2.86 variant is that due to all of the new mutations in the spike protein, it may allow this variant to evade natural immunity and vaccination possibly. Much is still unknown about the BA.2.86 variant, however, the CDC states that the current tests for detection and medication for treatment of COVID-19 appear to be effective with this new variant. Again, the biggest concern with BA.2.86 is the number of mutations that have evolved throughout the spread of the virus and the unknowns that may emerge from the changes in the virus.

With that being said, the CDC confirms they lack evidence that BA.2.86 causes more severe illness, and the transmissibility of the virus is still unknown. There are theories that BA.2.86 may remain isolated and not spread. This theory arises from data gathered on known cases of BA.2.86 that have only been detected in a total of 9 individuals from Denmark, the United States, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Israel. What is being done to combat the new variants of COVID-19? The CDC has been working on getting an updated version of the vaccine approved by the FDA, speculated to be in mid-September, released to the public to add an extra layer of defense against COVID-19.

*The information in this article is from sources, including the CDC and Yale Medicine, and is intended solely for the purpose of providing the audience with updates on medical developments.*

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By: Elizabeth Parga M.S. Chemistry