The BA.2.86 variant of the Covid-19 is being closely monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) after having been detected in wastewater in Switzerland. To date, around ten cases have been observed in five countries.
This variant has more than 30 mutations. For this reason, a week ago the WHO has decided to include it among the variants to be monitored, along with six other variants.
But it is not considered to be a variant of interest or concern. "Everything will depend on circulation" in a particular country, WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove told the press on Friday.
Cases have been identified in Denmark, the United States, Israel, Great Britain and South Africa. The variant has also been "detected in wastewater in Switzerland and Thailand", she added.