New Pirola Covid cases detected in UK as mutated variant found in wastewater
New cases of the Pirola Covid variant have been detected in the UK - as the variant was found in wastewater as well.
Covid BA.2.86 was first brought to the public’s attention after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published a risk assessment on it citing in particular its “high number of mutations”. This comes as Covid cases in the UK have been on the rise lately.
At the time, August 18, it was present in four countries, but has since spread to at least nine countries and is likely present elsewhere. In the UK there were previously two known cases, one in England and one in Scotland, but since then another has been also announced in England - with reports suggesting a fourth in Scotland too.
None of the cases had a recent travel history, suggesting community transmission within the UK and it was only picked up as all of them were tested as hospital patients. On top of that, some samples of BA.2.86 were found in wastewater according to the latest government release.
Of the three confirmed cases so far, one person was said to be “mildly unwell”, whilst the second had no respiratory symptoms and the third case, in Scotland, was symptomatic. Despite the alarm over the high number of mutations, which clearly sets it apart from previous strains, there’s no indication that Pirola is spreading quickly and taking over, let alone being more deadly.
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Denmark currently has the most cases, boasting 10, followed by four in Sweden and the US, three in the UK, two in Portugal and South Africa, and one in Canada and Israel. But these, according to UKHSA, don’t include countries that have detected BA.2.86 in wastewater.
Possible explanations for Pirola’s emergence include a mass gathering event seeding multiple countries, an ongoing outbreak in a country that isn’t tracking variants, or, worryingly, widespread community transmission that remains undetected despite the efforts of scientists and researchers.
Due to the little data, and how early on it is, it is difficult to draw conclusions on the exact nature of Pirola. But as a precautionary measure, the flu and Covid autumn vaccine programmes have been brought forward and will now start on September 11.
Chief Executive of the UKHSA, Dame Jenny Harries said: “As we continue to live with COVID-19 we expect to see new variants emerge. Thanks to the success of our vaccine programme, we have built strong, broad immune defences against new variants throughout the population. However, some people remain more vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19.
“This precautionary measure to bring forward the autumn programme will ensure these people have protection against any potential wave this winter. There is limited information available at present on BA.2.86 so the potential impact of this particular variant is difficult to estimate.
“As with all emergent and circulating COVID-19 variants - both in the UK and internationally - we will continue to monitor BA.2.86 and to advise government and the public as we learn more. In the meantime, please come forward for the vaccine when you are called.”
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