New Variant of Covid-19 Discovered in South Africa
Researchers at the Center for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) in Cape Town, South Africa, have identified a new variant of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 characterized by a high number of mutations. Named BA.2.87.1 by experts, this variant has over 100 mutations, of which more than 30 are located on the S or Spike protein. The latter is essential for the virus as it acts as a “biological lock pick”, allowing the virus to bind to the ACE2 receptor on human cells.
Mutations on the Spike favor the virus’s ability to penetrate human cells, cross the cell wall, introduce viral RNA inside, and start the replication process, contributing to the spread of infection and the onset of the disease known as COVID-19.
The new variant, called BA.2.87.1, was discovered between September and November last year and initially classified as Ba.2.X. At the moment, its characteristics are not completely known, but according to experts, it does not appear to cause particular concern in terms of immunoevasiveness. However, its specific symptoms still need to be identified, for now, they can intercept them in the list of the most common circulating Covid variants, starting from Omicron, such as cough, sore throat, and fever.
The epidemiological data presented highlight that the BA.2.87.1 variant has already been present in South Africa for several weeks. However, there are no signs of a wide spread of the variant, and there has not been a significant rise to supplant the two predominant variants in the country. Data from public hospitals involved in pandemic surveillance also do not indicate an increase in the rate of cases since the new variant was identified. This suggests that BA.2.87.1 may currently be less immunoevasive and not of particular concern in terms of severity of infection and ability to spread.
However, the presence of multiple mutations is the main reason to maintain tight control over the variant. The number and characteristics of the mutations present in the BA.2.87.1 variant require careful monitoring, but at the moment there are no indications of greater danger or diffusivity of the virus.
In Italy, the JN.1 variant is still predominant, reaching a prevalence equal to 77%. The spread of the BA.2.86 variant of interest, which is increasing globally and currently represents the dominant variant, has also been noted.
Despite the arrival of the South African variant, all indicators for Covid-19 are decreasing in Italy. In the period from 25 to 31 January, there were 3,858 infections recorded, with 115 deaths. Incidence and hospitalizations are also declining in both the medical area and in intensive care. The virologist and medical director of the IRCCS Galeazzi Hospital – Sant’Ambrogio, Fabrizio Pregliasco, commented on the situation by calling it “a season of respiratory viruses that we could define as the heaviest in the last 15 years, with the presence of a cocktail of viruses in which Covid was predominant especially in the first period of winter.”
The decline in hospitalizations and the decrease in incidence suggest a positive trend in the fight against Covid. However, continued monitoring and control of viral variants are still necessary to ensure the ongoing progress in managing the pandemic.