Genomic sequencing for SARS-CoV-2 has fallen in much of the world, and there is a delay between specimen collection and genomic sequencing. After first being identified in Israel, it has now been detected in human or wastewater samples in Canada, Denmark, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, and Thailand. The assessments presented here may change as additional data become available.īA.2.86 has continued to be detected sporadically in various countries. It builds on CDC’s initial August 23, 2023, assessment. What follows is a scientific assessment of BA.2.86’s public health risk profile based on what CDC knows now. Scientific Understanding of BA.2.86 as of August 30, 2023 If you choose to wear a mask, wear a high-quality one that fits well over your nose and mouth.

Seek treatment if you have COVID-19 and are at high risk of getting very sick.Get tested for COVID-19 if you are sick.Get your COVID-19 vaccines, as recommended.That means you can still take the following actions to protect yourself and others from infection: What can you do to protect yourself and others as we learn more?Īt this time, we don’t know how well this variant spreads, but we know that it spreads in the same way as other variants. If licensed/authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC, updated vaccines will be available as early as mid-September at your local pharmacy or doctor’s office. CDC remains committed to releasing updates on trends and observations of this variant. That assessment may change as additional scientific data are developed. There is currently no evidence that this variant is causing more severe illness. Immune responses generated from prior infection also help protect against severe outcomes of COVID-19. These other parts of the immune system have been less affected by viral evolution and are not predicted to have decreased activity against BA.2.86.ĬDC’s current assessment is that the updated COVID-19 vaccine, which will be available in mid-September, will likely be effective at reducing severe disease and hospitalization. Along with antibodies, other parts of the immune system have important roles in protecting people from the most severe outcomes of COVID-19. Tests of how well antibodies block the virus from infecting cells give us one measure of how well one part of the immune system might handle BA.2.86. Scientists are evaluating how previous immunity from vaccinations or past infections protect against this new variant. Current Risk Assessmentīased on current information, existing tests used to detect and medications used to treat COVID-19 continue to be effective with this variant. This variant is notable because it has multiple genetic differences compared to previous versions of SARS-CoV-2 and it has been detected in several locations within a short amount of time. Over the last few weeks, a new variant called BA.2.86 has been detected in a small number of samples from infected people and waste (sewer) water in several countries, including the United States.

SARS-CoV-2 viruses with significant genetic changes are called “variants.” A new variant that is very different than previous variants could behave differently, with potential changes in contagiousness or how well it responds to treatment.

Viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), change over time. The current increases in cases and hospitalizations in the United States are likely being driven by infections with XBB lineage viruses, not the new BA.2.86 variant.This variant is currently being studied in the laboratory to help understand how the immune system may interact with this virus.The variant has been identified in at least four states in the United States in samples from either people or wastewater.Since CDC’s initial risk assessment, this variant has been identified in additional countries from both human and wastewater specimens.CDC continues to track the presence of the BA.2.86 variant.

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