Covid-19: Scientists sound alarm over new BA.2.86 “Pirola” variant

A new SARS-CoV-2 subvariant with a high number of mutations that could help it neutralise the immune system has emerged in four countries, raising alarm among scientists. "BA.2.86 is the most striking SARS-CoV-2 strain the world has witnessed since the emergence of omicron," said Francois Balloux, professor of computational systems biology and director of University College London's Genetics Institute.