French health authorities spotted the first case of the new Omicron BA.2.86 variant, known as Pirola, on Aug. 31 in the Aube department (Grand Est), local news outlets reported.
The positive sample that underwent full genomic sequencing dates back to August 21st. France now joins a group of about fifteen countries, including the United States, Denmark, Sweden, and others, that have detected at least one case of this variant.
The Pirola variant, named after Italian scientist Dr. Alessio Pirola who first identified it, is characterized by a unique combination of genetic mutations in the spike protein of the virus, which is known to play a crucial role in its infectivity and transmissibility.
This unique profile quickly prompted the World Health Organization to place it “under surveillance,” although the implications of these mutations on transmissibility and virulence are still not clear.
The Pirola variant was initially identified in Italy in early 2023. Preliminary data suggests that the new variant may have increased transmissibility, but further studies are needed to understand its potential impact on vaccine effectiveness and disease severity.