Highly Mutated Covid Strain That’s Lurking In US Could Cause Trouble
The BA.3.2 variant has been detected in wastewater samples from 25 states. The strain is "genetically distinct from the JN.1 lineages that have circulated in the United States since January 2024,” CDC researchers said. The current formulation of the 2025-26 covid vaccine targets the JN.1 subvariants — which means BA.3.2 might have the ability to evade protection from vaccines.
CIDRAP:
New COVID Variant With Immune Escape Potential Confirmed In US, 22 Other Countries
The highly mutated SARS-CoV-2 BA.3.2 variant, which has been reported by at least 23 countries as of February 11, has been detected in nasal swabs collected from four US travelers, clinical samples from five patients, three airplane wastewater samples, and 132 wastewater surveillance samples from 25 states, per a study published last week in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. (Van Beusekom, 3/23)
More covid updates —
SciTechDaily:
Scientists Identify 'Good' Bacteria That May Prevent Long COVID
After five years of research, scientists identified an important role for Dolosigranulum pigrum, a bacterium that naturally lives in the respiratory microbiome. Higher levels of this bacterium were associated with a lower likelihood that long Covid symptoms would persist. (3/21)
CIDRAP:
COVID Vaccines Not Tied To Risk Of Sudden Death, Study Shows
Data show that young, healthy people have no additional risk of sudden death if they are vaccinated against COVID-19, contrary to myths that continue to circulate widely on social media. In fact, healthy adolescents and young adults vaccinated against COVID-19 were 43% less likely to experience sudden death than non-vaccinated people, according to a Canadian case-control study published last week in PLOS Medicine. (Szabo, 3/23)
The Independent:
Covid-19 Immunity Likely To Lower Risk Of Another SARS Pandemic
Global immunity to Covid-19 is likely to offer protection against other SARS-type viruses, ultimately lowering the risk of a future coronavirus pandemic, scientists have found. (Forbes, 3/24)
The Washington Post:
Four Truths About Covid That Have Become Clouded Over Time
In the early days, the virus posed a graver threat to people and the health care system, Trump embraced lockdowns he now blasts, and the benefits of vaccines were oversold. (Nirappil, 3/22)
