This new strain of the Omicron variant carries more than 35 genetic mutations in key parts of the virus compared to XBB.1.5, the dominant variant for most of 2023.

The BA.2.86 variant was first detected in Denmark on July 24 after infecting a patient at risk of severe illness and having its genome sequenced. Since then, BA.2.86 has been detected in other symptomatic patients during routine airport screening and in wastewater samples in several countries.

Illustration photo: Reuters

Dozens of scientists around the world say that while tracking BA.2.86 is important, the variant is unlikely to cause a wave of severe illness and death due to immune defenses built up worldwide from vaccinations and previous Covid-19 infections.

"The number of people infected (with the BA.2.86 variant) is low," Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's Covid-19 technical lead, said in her first interview about BA.2.86.

She said the reported cases of BA.2.86 were not linked to each other, suggesting the variant had spread more widely, especially as Covid-19 testing around the world had eased.

Scientists are testing how updated Covid-19 vaccines will work on BA.2.86. Ms Kerkhove noted that Covid-19 vaccines are better at preventing severe illness and death than preventing reinfection.

Meanwhile, Ms. Marion Koopmans, a Dutch virologist and WHO advisor, commented: "We are at a very different stage (of the pandemic) compared to when the Covid-19 epidemic first appeared."

Dr. Nirav Shah, deputy director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the agency discovered the new variant BA.2.86 last week and held meetings with scientists over the weekend, releasing a risk assessment (of the variant) on August 23. As of August 23, nine cases of BA.2.86 had been detected, and the variant has also been found in wastewater in Switzerland.

The review found that current testing and vaccines appear to be effective against BA.2.86, although the variant may be more infectious in vaccinated people and those who have had Covid-19 before. There is no evidence that BA.2.86 causes more severe disease.

However, experts say the potential risks from BA.2.86 must be taken seriously and monitoring must continue.

Another sub-variant of Covid-19 called EG.5 has also emerged in the US.

According to VTV.vn

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