A recently identified COVID variant known as BA.2.86, characterized by its substantial mutations, has now surfaced in Switzerland and South Africa, in addition to previous reports of cases in occupied Palestine, Denmark, the US, and the UK, according to a prominent official from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Compared to the dominant XBB.1.5 variant in 2023, the BA.2.86 variant carries more than 35 mutations in critical parts of the virus, a number roughly equivalent to the Omicron variant which led to a surge in infections globally.

The variant was initially detected in Denmark on July 24 after sequencing the virus from a patient at risk of severe illness. Since then, it has been found in other symptomatic patients, identified through airport screenings, and even present in wastewater samples in a few countries.

Read more: Inflation, Covid plunged millions of Asians into extreme poverty

Despite its increased mutations, a group of scientists worldwide contends that BA.2.86 is unlikely to lead to a severe wave of disease and fatalities due to the prevailing immunity from vaccinations and previous infections across the globe.

"It's still low numbers," remarked Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's COVID-19 technical lead, noting that the unlinked cases suggest wider circulation, especially in light of reduced global surveillance.

Efforts are underway to assess the efficacy of updated COVID-19 vaccines against the BA.2.86 variant. It's important to note that vaccines have shown greater success in preventing severe illness and death compared to re-infection.

Marion Koopmans, a Dutch virologist advising the WHO, emphasized that the pandemic is currently in a different phase, thanks to accumulated immunity. However, vigilance is crucial, and surveillance must remain active to track the variant's impact.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other agencies have already identified cases of the new variant, with nine cases confirmed as of August 23. Furthermore, the variant has been found in Swiss wastewater samples.

Read more: US did not provide access to data that accuse China of Covid-19: WHO

Although current tests and treatments appear effective against BA.2.86, experts suggest the variant may have an enhanced ability to cause infection in vaccinated individuals and those with prior COVID exposure. However, there's no evidence yet that it leads to more severe illness.

Despite the apparent lower risk, Van Kerkhove stressed that governments must remain vigilant and not lower their guard, as the coronavirus continues to evolve and pose risks to public health.

While the global testing and surveillance of COVID have decreased significantly from peak levels, experts indicate that the ability to track the virus remains an open question. Countries that have detected the BA.2.86 variant possess robust genomic sequencing capabilities. Nonetheless, GISAID, the international database for virus sequences, has seen a sharp decline in data submissions.

The WHO has noted a 90% drop in COVID testing worldwide from its peak, with similar declines in sequencing. This underscores the importance of other indicators like hospital admissions, deaths, and wastewater samples to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the virus's trajectory.