Scientists have produced evidence that the pandemic virus is 'uniquely adapted to infect humans', raising fresh questions over whether its origins were natural or could have occurred in a laboratory.
Where did the Coronavirus 19 Originate from? and anything relative to the virus.
Where did the Coronavirus 19 originate from? and anything relative to the virus.
Coronavirus is 'uniquely adapted to infect humans': Top vaccine scientist says it could only have come from an animal through a 'freak of nature' - and the possibility it leaked from Wuhan lab MUST be investigated
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The World Health Organization (WHO) is closely monitoring a new COVID-19 variant BA.2.86, which has been nicknamed by scientists on social media as Pirola.
Here's what we know about the new strain so far.
Where has it been detected?
It's only been detected in four countries:??
Denmark??
Israel??
United Kingdom??
USA
What has it been classified as?BA.2.86 is considered a Variant Under Monitoring.The WHO said it made this classification because "due to the large number of mutations it carries".
It has three classifications for COVID-19 variants:??
Variant Under Monitoring (VUM)??
Variant of Interest (VOI)??
Variant of Concern (VOC)
By declaring a VUM , the WHO calls for a global review of the strain's epidemiology and the tracking of its characteristics and spread.By comparison, the VOC declaration calls for a more extensive response.
The WHO is currently tracking seven VUMs and their descent lineages:??
BA.2.75??
BA.2.86??
CH.1.1??
XBB??
XBB.1.9.1??
XBB.1.9.2??
XBB.2.3
and three VOIs:??
XBB.1.5??
XBB.1.16??
EG.5.
How bad is it?
We don't know yet.
"More data are needed to understand this COVID-19 variant and the extent of its spread," the WHO said.
"But the number of mutations warrants attention."WHO will update countries and the public as we learn more."Francois Balloux, professor of computational systems biology at University College London, agreed that the attention was warranted."BA.2.86 is the most striking SARS-CoV-2 strain the world has witnessed since the emergence of Omicron,"
Dr Balloux said."Over the coming weeks we will see how well BA.2.86 will be faring relative to other Omicron subvariants.
"But he said it wasn't expected to behave differently from other Omicron strains."Even in the worst case scenario where BA.2.86 caused a major new wave of cases, we are not expecting to witness comparable levels of severe disease and death than we did earlier in the pandemic when the Alpha, Delta or Omicron variants spread, Dr Balloux said.
"Most people on Earth have now been vaccinated and/or infected by the virus.
"Even if people get reinfected by BA.2.86, immune memory will still allow their immune system to kick in and control the infection far more effectively.
"However, he still said a major wave would be an "unwelcome event".
Source:https://www.abc.net.au
Rise in NSW invasive bacterial infections prompt warning
New South Wales is seeing increasing cases of rare but severe invasive bacterial infections in the state, which can lead to death or permanent disability, the state the health department is warning.
Dr Trevor Chan, the clinical director for the department, said spring was usually a peak time for meningococcal disease in NSW, and this year cases of invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) were also steadily increasing.
So far this year, NSW has recorded 28 cases of meningococcal disease and 544 cases of iGAS have been notified to the end of August.
Chan has urgent people in NSW to pay close attention to symptoms, as rapid can be life-saving intervention: ??
In the early stages, invasive bacterial infections can appear similar to more common viral illnesses. ??
Occasionally they can occur at the same time, or follow a viral infection.Rapid intervention and treatment for invasive bacterial infections are available and can be life-saving.
We urge people to pay close attention to symptoms, trust their instincts and seek urgent medical care if symptoms are worse or if they or the people they care for are getting worse.
Bacterial infections like meningococcal and iGAS can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition. Intervention and treatment for invasive bacterial infections are available and can be life saving.
NOW THAT SHOULD BRING DOWN THE NSW NUMBERS - KNEW LABOUR GOV WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX IT :0
Australia COVID-19 weekly update 14 July 2023
Over the last week, 8,047 cases of COVID-19 were reported across Australia, an average of 1,150 cases per day.
• NSW: 2,854 new cases, 933 in hospital, 26 in ICU, 70 deaths.
• VIC: 543 new PCR cases, 137 in hospital, 8 in ICU, 39 deaths.
• QLD: 1,757 new cases, 194 in hospital, 4 in ICU, 0 deaths.
• ACT: 204 new cases, 11 in hospital, 2 in ICU, 3 deaths.
• TAS: 316 new cases, 5 in hospital, 0 in ICU, 1 deaths Total 302 deaths.
• SA: 802 new cases, 67 in hospital, 2 in ICU, 0 deaths.
• WA: 934 new cases, 95 in hospital, 3 in ICU, 6 deaths.
• NT: 46 new cases, 10 in hospital, 0 in ICU, 0 deaths. Total 105 deaths.
More.