Early Detection and Surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.2.86 — Worldwide, July–October 2023

• DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7243a2
• Publication Date: 2023-10-26T14:16:40Z
• Authors: Anastasia S. Lambrou; Erin South; Eliza S. Ballou; Clinton R. Paden; James A. Fuller; Stephen M. Bart; Deena M. Butryn; Ryan T. Novak; Sean D. Browning; Amy E. Kirby; Rory M. Welsh; Daniel M. Cornforth; Duncan R. MacCannell; Cindy R. Friedman; Natalie J. Thornburg; Aron J. Hall; Laura J. Hughes; Barbara E. Mahon; Demetre C. Daskal...; Nirav D. Shah; Brendan R. Jackson; Hannah L. Kirking
• Keywords: Public health surveillance

Early detection of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants is critical to guiding rapid risk assessments, providing clear and timely communication messages, coordinating public health action. CDC identifies monitors novel through diverse surveillance approaches, including genomic, wastewater, traveler-based, digital (e.g., global data repositories, news, social media). The variant BA.2.86 was first sequenced in Israel reported on August 13, 2023. U.S. COVID-19 case caused by this 17, 2023, after a patient received testing for at care facility 3. In the following month, eight additional states detected across various systems, specimens from settings, wastewater surveillance, traveler-based genomic surveillance. As October 23, sequences have been least 32 countries. Continued tracking further evidence are needed evaluate full impact BA.2.86. Timely sequence submissions databases aided early despite decline number being during past year. This report describes how multicomponent sequencing were used real time track emergence transmission variant. approach provides valuable information regarding implementing sustaining comprehensive not only but also future pathogen threats.