While COVID-19 is no longer classified as a worldwide health emergency, it continues to pose a global health risk.
Just last week, the World Health Organzation (WHO) classified a new variant with a large number of mutations, BA.2.86 or informally known as “Pirola '' over social media, a variant under monitoring, highlighting once again the need for all countries to maintain surveillance.
Get to Know the New COVID-19 Variant, BA.2.86 or PIROLA
The nickname "Pirola" has been attributed to BA.2.86, an emerging lineage of the virus responsible for COVID-19.
As per data from GISAID, a globally accessible genome sequencing repository, BA.2.86 exhibits a remarkable count of over 30 genetic alterations, surpassing the number observed in other currently prevalent variants. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially categorized it as a variant boasting a "substantial number of mutations."
In an interview of Dr. Rajendram Rajnarayanan, Assistant Dean of Research and Associate Professor at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, by USA Today, BA.2.86, in simpler terms, is one of the 1,680 omicron lineages. Numerous omicron lineages are still circulating globally, but BA.2.86 is a descendant of Omicron BA.2, which is not currently in circulation.
Rajnarayanan said this lineage has "significantly diverged from BA.2" and the other currently circulating variants, such as XBB.1.5, which is the antigen used in vaccines.
Classified by the WHO as having a "large number of mutations," Pirola has 30 spike protein mutations that differ from XBB.1.5, said Rajnarayanan, meaning it is more immune-evasive or more likely to subvert immunities built up by your body. Source & credit to: USA Today News
Scientists are currently investigating whether these mutations might potentially lead to an increased rate of transmission.
Is Pirola in Australia?
Pirola or BA.2.86 has been detected in four countries:
- U.S.
- U.K.
- Denmark
- Israel
According to USA Today, a case of Pirola has been detected in Washtenaw County, Michigan, USA, sometime last week, which reportedly impacted an older adult who showed “mild” symptoms that did not immediately require hospitalization.
The officials don't know if the new version of the virus is more dangerous than the ones already spreading. Many places don't report COVID numbers in the same way anymore, mainly using hospitalizations and wastewater data.
But even with these limited measures, some countries, including the U.S., have seen more cases lately. For example, in the week ending August 5, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data revealed that hospitalizations went up by 14.3%, from 9,026 to 10,320.
In England, a 17.4% increase in hospitalizations the week ending August 12 versus the seven days prior, according to the UKHSA.
However, the numbers are still much lower than in previous surges. This is because vaccines, previous exposure to variants, and good hygiene practices all help prevent another big outbreak.
What is Pirola classified as?
Pirola or BA.2.86 is labelled as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) by the WHO due to the many mutations it has.
The WHO has three classifications for COVID-19 variants:
- Variant Under Monitoring (VUM)
- Variant of Interest (VOI)
- Variant of Concern (VOC)
When a variant is declared a VUM, the WHO asks for a worldwide examination of its behavior, how it spreads, and its characteristics.
In contrast, if a variant is declared a VOC, it triggers a more comprehensive response.
What are the symptoms of Pirola?
Since Pirola is very new, we don’t know yet if it presents or causes any new or unique symptoms. The CDC suggests you watch for the same signs and follow the same advice as you would for other existing variants to stay safe. Some of the symptoms may include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Changes to sense of smell
What to do if you test Positive with Pirola?
If you suspect that you might be dealing with a potential COVID infection or have received a positive test result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer several proactive measures to alleviate symptoms and prevent the spread of the virus.
- Isolate at Home: Stay in your residence and avoid contact with others to prevent potential transmission.
- Enhance Indoor Ventilation: Improve the airflow in your living space to reduce the concentration of viral particles.
- Opt for High-Quality Masks: When in the vicinity of other individuals, consider wearing a well-fitted N-95 mask or an equivalent high-quality mask.
- Stay Informed about Vaccines and Boosters: Stay up-to-date with the latest information regarding COVID vaccines and booster shots to maximize your protection.
- Regular Symptom Monitoring: Continuously monitor your symptoms and maintain communication with your healthcare provider for guidance.
- Adhere to Medication Prescriptions: Follow your prescribed medications and treatments diligently as directed by your healthcare professional.
- Prioritize Rest and OTC Relief: Rest is crucial for recovery; in addition, you can use over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms such as headaches.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Maintain a high level of hygiene by frequently washing your hands and disinfecting commonly used surfaces.
- Locate Testing and Treatment Facilities: Utilize the CDC's testing and treatment location tool to identify available resources in your area.
N-95 face masks are available at medcart.com.au
Sources:
- ABC News. 20 Aug 2023. New COVID-19 Variant, BA.2.86. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-20/audience-new-covid-variant-ba-2-86-pirola-omicron/102751366
- World Health Organization (WHO). 18 Aug 2023. Director General Speech. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-g20-health-ministers-meeting---inaugural-session---18-august-2023
- USA Today News. 21 Aug 2023. What to know about COVID Pirola: How new lineage BA.2.86 differs from other variants. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/08/21/pirola-covid-lineage-not-omicron-variant/70644689007/
- GISAID. 14 Aug 2023. 2nd-Generation BA.2 Saltation Lineage, >30 spike mutations. Retrieved from https://github.com/cov-lineages/pango-designation/issues/2183
