WHO says only a few sequences of the variant have been reported from a handful of countries, including the US, Denmark and Israel.
The new lineage, which has 36 mutations from the currently-dominant XXB.1.5 Covid variant,"harkens back to an earlier branch" of the virus, explained S Wesley Long, medical director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist.
He said it remains to be seen whether BB.2.86 will be able to out-compete other strains o f the virus or have any advantage in escaping immune responses from prior infection or vaccination. Early analysis indicates that the new variant"will have equal or greater escape than XXB.1.5 from antibodies elicited by pre-Omicron and first-generation Omicron variants," Jesse Bloom, a virologist at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center said in a slide deck published on Thursday.CDC is tracking a new lineage of the virus that causes COVID-19. This lineage is named BA.2.86, and has been detected in the United States, Denmark and Israel.
"My biggest concern would be that it could cause a bigger spike in cases than what we have seen in recent waves," Dr Long said."The boosters will still help you fight off Covid in general."
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WHO places new COVID variant BA.2.86 'under monitoring' as experts watch for spread of highly-mutated strainCases of the new COVID variant BA.2.86 have been spotted in Michigan, Denmark and Israel.
Read more »
Top tech analyst Mark Mahaney adds this social stock to his list of top picksEvercore ISI expects its new top pick to rally more than 70%.
Read more »
Prince Christian of Denmark sparks engagement rumors as he introduces girlfriend to grandmother Queen Margrethe“There’s no doubt an engagement announcement is on the horizon and the palace is preparing accordingly,” an insider revealed to Women’s Day.
Read more »
America’s Obsession With Weight-Loss Drugs Is Affecting the Economy of DenmarkHuge sales of Ozempic and Wegovy have driven up Novo Nordisk’s sales and market cap, leading to lower interest rates in its home country.
Read more »
US approves sending F-16s to Ukraine from Denmark and NetherlandsThe United States has approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands to defend against Russian invaders as soon as pilot training is completed, a U.S. official said on Thursday.
Read more »