Thursday, November 30, 2023

New COVID Variant Spreading in US, but Risk Is Low

Compared to Eris, BA.2.86 has a significantly lower growth efficiency, meaning that it is less capable of replicating itself in the human bodies.

The current dominant variant is H.V.1, and it is derived from the variant EG.5, unofficially known as Eris, a previously dominant variant in the United States.

Research outside of the United States similarly suggests that Pirola should not be more severe than current variants.

A preprint study from Japan found that while Pirola may be more transmissible than Eris a previous dominant variant, it is less likely to cause disease.

Prior Infections Gives Immunity Against the New Variant Compared to BA.2, its ancestral subvariant, Pirola has more than 30 mutations in its spike protein.

Mr. Cao's own research in mice who have been vaccinated or infected with XBB vaccines showed that the antibodies generated "Cannot well recognize and neutralize BA.2.86," he wrote in a thread posted on the social media platform, X. However, Pirola had a low cell infectivity, which can affect the variant's transmission, he added.

The same group of researchers then tested antibodies produced from the new XBB1.5 COVID vaccine against several variants, including XBB1.5, Eris, and JN.1, a derivative of Pirola.

HV.1: The Current Dominant Variant The current dominant subvariant is HV.1, a new variant derived from Eris. 

https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/new-covid-variant-spreading-in-us-but-risk-is-low-experts-5537404?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=ZeroHedge&src_src=partner&src_cmp=ZeroHedge

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