Some phrases used soon after the worst of the Covid pandemic ebbed have now become entrenched in the popular lexicon. Namely: "You may think you're done with Covid, but Covid is not done with you." This one became especially overused once the Delta and omicron variants emerged and the infection rate increased, e.g.:
"Worst Version Of Virus Yet" - But Sleepwalking Americans Don't Want To Hear About Covid Or Mask Mandates
Now - as if right on cue- scientists
have their eye on a different variant from the XBB variants (such as EG.5), that drove the summer Covid-19 bump. They are looking at BA.2.86—dubbed “pirola” by a group of scientists
on social media - which has surfaced in all corners of the world. What’s troubling about
this variant, scientists say, is that it contains more than 30 mutations on the
spike protein, which is what helps the virus dodge antibodies and cause an
infection. This means it might be able to evade current vaccines and
previous infections more easily, and it likely won’t be a great match with the
fall booster expected to be approved soon.
“It’s drastically different” than the dominant
variants circulating now, says Katelyn Jetelina, a scientific adviser to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and author of the “Your Local
Epidemiologist” newsletter.
It’s unclear whether the variant will result in
different or more severe symptoms.
What we know about BA.2.86:
Positive cases of BA.2.86 have been reported in
the U.S., Denmark, Israel, South Africa, Portugal and the U.K. The cases
include people who haven’t traveled recently, suggesting that there is
community transmission. It’s also been detected in wastewater in the U.S.,
according to the CDC, and in Switzerland and Thailand.
What’s unknown is how transmissible the variant
is and whether it will spread widely or fizzle out like many other variants.
Another important, outstanding question is whether it causes more severe disease .(Hospitalizations in our area have now gone up by 18%). I can't play the fool because of the lung issues I have (brochiectasis) as well as age - so getting the booster is a literal no brainer).
Jetelina hypothesizes that if the
variant spreads widely, it would be able to escape most of the neutralizing antibodies
we have from vaccines and previous infections, making it easier to get
infected. However, it might not be as successful with our immune system’s second line
of defense, the T-cells, which protect against severe disease. Scientists say treatments such as
the antiviral Paxlovid should still remain effective even with such a
highly mutated virus because they target a different part of the virus, not the
spike.
Rapid antigen tests, which Janice purchased just a few months ago, often used to test for Covid-19 at home, also
should be able to detect the new variant, the CDC said last week. In a risk assessment released Aug. 23, the CDC
said scientists are evaluating the effectiveness of the fall Covid-19
booster, expected to roll out in September, and the new variant.
Where did it come from?"
Epidemiologists
don’t yet know where the BA.2.86 variant originated. But because it contains over 30 mutations,
they speculate it developed over months in an immunocompromised person with a
chronic infection. It could also have been generated in an oldster who refused to get any of the earlier boosters - leaving himself open to becoming a virus mutation factory. According to T. Ryan Gregory, an evolutionary biologist and professor at University of Guelph in Ontario:
“It’s probably been evolving for quite some
time but it isn’t clear whether it’s
taking off as a variant the way Omicron did."
With surveillance efforts (and masking) reduced, the new
variant could be common in a locale without being noticed, says Gregory. Needless to say we are now stocking up on N-95 masks in case we encounter any crowds during the oncoming holiday season. Neither of us can afford to come down with Covid - irrespective of the mutation.
Even if BA.2.86 doesn’t spread widely, it’s an
important reminder that vastly different strains can surface out of nowhere, but most likely in immuno-compromised people or that lot that has refused any vaccines. We do hope that contrarian lot wakes up before it's too late (Trump excluded).
Update: We tried this a.m. to get all three shots (Covid booster, RSV, Flu) deemed essential for seniors but could only get the last two. We were informed the Covid booster will arrive by the end of the month. Hopefully, we will be protected long enough from the virus until we get that boost.
Addendum: Just as well the Covid booster wasn't available, as I got severe side effects (from the RSV, flu shots) by 11 p.m. including: chills, fever, body aches and nausea - which lasted the entire night. At least by now - after a meager breakfast and coffee- the symptoms appear to have abated. But no more shots for another few weeks!
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