“The most plausible scenario is that the lineage acquired its mutations during a long-term infection in an immunocompromised person over a year ago and then spread back into the community,” he said. Prof Francois Balloux, director of the UCL Genetics Institute, said BA.2.86 was the most striking Covid strain the world has witnessed since the emergence of Omicron. Its many genetic changes – it has more than 30 mutations in the spike protein relative to the current predominant variant – and its detection in several countries have put scientists on alert. The World Health Organization announced on Thursday it was designating BA.2.86 a “variant under monitoring” – while the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has similarly reported it is keeping a close eye on the variant after it was discovered in Michigan.Īs well as outstanding questions over the severity of the variant, it is unclear whether it will become the dominant form of the virus. At present, the agency said, there was not enough data to assess the relative severity or degree of immune escape of BA.2.86 compared with other variants in circulation. It said the similarity of the genetic sequences in different countries implied a relatively recent emergence and rapid growth, although this remained a tentative analysis given the small number of sequences. UKHSA is currently undertaking detailed assessment and will provide further information in due course.”Īccording to a risk assessment published on Friday by UKHSA, the UK case had no recent travel history, suggesting established international transmission and a degree of community transmission within the country – with more information on UK transmission expected in the next week or two. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed on Friday that the variant had been detected in the UK.ĭr Meera Chand, the deputy director of UKHSA, said: “We are aware of one confirmed case in the UK.
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