The WHO decided to classify a new variant “in the category of variants under surveillance due to the very large number (more than 30) of mutations”, according to the epidemiological bulletin dedicated to covid-19 and released this morning.
So far, this new variant has only been detected in Israel, Denmark and the United States.
In the USA, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that it is also closely monitoring the variant, in a message published on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
Currently, only four known sequences of this variant have been identified, with no known associated epidemiological link, WHO explained. “The potential impact of BA.2.86 mutations is currently unknown and is being carefully evaluated,” the organization said.
The WHO currently has seven variants classified as under surveillance and three as variants of concern, including EG.5, whose identification was first reported in February.
Last week, the organization warned that this variant could cause an increase in the incidence of infections and become dominant in some countries or even the world.
The WHO bulletin says that between July 17 and August 13, more than 1.4 million new cases of covid-19 were reported, an increase of 63% compared to the previous 28-day period. On the contrary, the death toll dropped by 56% to over 2,300.
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