A new variant of Covid is causing concern among scientists due to the large number of mutations detected in London and other countries, such as Denmark, USA, Israel, etc.
The variant, known as BA.2.86, has been discovered through genetic sequencing, although only a small number of such sequences have been reported so far.
At this time, it is unclear whether BA.2.86 causes more severe disease.
The World Health Organization announced that it was designating BA.2.86 as a "variant under monitoring" - while the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also reported that it is closely monitoring the variant after it was discovered in Michigan.
In addition to unresolved questions about the severity of the variant, it is unclear whether it will become the dominant form of the virus.
Multiple genetic changes and detection in several countries have put scientists on alert.
BA.2.86 has been titled "Pirola" by the coronavirus variant trackers. Some experts think that Pirola has the potential to become the next variant that the WHO names with a Greek letter - likely Pi , from the name Pirola.
