There have been 54 confirmed cases of Pirola across the UK, with six of those in Scotland.
The strain is a multi-mutated and highly immune system evasive type of coronavirus fast becoming the most dominant in the UK, with positive cases doubling almost every few days in recent weeks. It has been confirmed to have more than 30 mutations, making it difficult for experts to analyse and is already on the World Health Organisation's watch list, reports the Mirror.
It is thought there will be a surge in cases of the BA.2.86 strain and the UK's Health and Security Agency said it has been spotted in most parts of the UK, with a spokesman stating: “BA.2.86 continues to transmit within the UK, with sporadic cases identified in most regions.
"The available data is too limited to draw conclusions about the severity of the illness it causes, but there is so far no evidence to suggest that it is more likely to make people seriously ill than other Omicron variants in circulation. “The autumn vaccination programme started this month, and this new data shows once again how important it is that the most vulnerable among us are fully vaccinated in order to receive the greatest possible protection. I urge everyone eligible to come forward for their next dose as soon as they are called.”
Top Health Stories Today BA.2.86 was first identified in August and since 18 September, 137 cases have been sequenced in 15 countries, including: Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.Of those 48, 10 resulted in hospitalisations, two were found during during testing at a hospital emergency department, with six others having “unknown hospitalisation status”. No deaths have yet been confirmed.
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