Scientists raise alarm over new Covid variant Pi and call for return of face masks

The Pi variant of Covid has scientists worried after it has emerged. Here’s how it could impact Australia.

There are fears of a fresh Covid resurgence after cases of a new variant were recorded in several countries.

Dubbed the “Pi” variant, scientists are worried that the strain could spread rapidly, particularly during the colder months, and are calling for masks and restrictions to return.

Denmark and Israel are among the countries who have recorded cases this week, with experts saying that if the variant, provisionally known as BA. 6, is already in the UK it could spread very quickly in the near future.

The development of Pi follows the arrival of another variant, nicknamed Eris by the World Health Organisation, which accounts for a growing number of cases in countries including China and the United States.

Here is what you need to know about Pi.

WHAT IS PI?

Early tests show Pi, also known as BA. 6, carries more than 30 mutations in its spike protein, the part of the virus that latches onto human cells and causes an infection. But, it’s not known what impact these changes will have on mutation.

Experts said international travel and mixing in airports and on holiday makes it difficult to prevent the introduction of new variants.

However, it is impossible to know whether this new variant would become more dominant than the Omicron strain of Covid.

UNSW Associate Professor Stuart Turville, whose variant-chasing team at the Kirby Institute isolated and grew EG.5.1 in May, said many of the circulating variants are now starting to look extremely similar.

“There are occasions where a viral sequence will appear that is very different from the dominant variant in the community. Variants like this are hypothesised to be a result of chronic infection and evolution of the virus in an immunocompromised individual for a lengthy period of time,” Prof Turville said.

“A virus like this at times can be picked up in sewerage surveillance networks and are so different and are being shed in faeces at such a high level that they can be used to sometimes pinpoint the general location where someone who has this chronic infection may be.”

WHERE IS THE VARIANT?

Fears about the new variant were first raised earlier this week when virus trackers spotted cases in both Israel and Denmark, suggesting it has started to circulate.

The variant also follows the arrival of another variant, nicknamed Eris, and known scientifically as EG. 5.1.

Scientists believe the new variant is most likely also in the UK and USA.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Covid symptoms are known to include a high fever, cough, cold and loss of the sense of taste or smell.

However, there are no signs yet the newly discovered variant, which is different to Eris, poses any more of a danger than others, including Omicron.

WHY HAS IT SPARKED CONCERN?

Professor Turville said: “Here we have a cases of infection of three individuals, detection in Denmark and Israel, of this variant using traditional based means (nasal swab) or people infected.”

“Given there are only three cases so far, the growth advantage of spread cannot be determined and many surveillance units will be on the lookout if it appears in their networks.

“This would not be the first case where a very different variants has been detected. The key is to look at its potential to spread (growth advantage).”

Covid variant tracker Ryan Hisner took to Twitter to voice his concern over Pi and said “this is the real deal”.

“Two more sequences of this 2nd-generation BA. 2 lineage just showed up in Denmark,” he tweeted.

“This is the real deal. There are slight differences between the three sequences, but they are nearly identical.”

Meanwhile, mathematician from University College London Professor Christina Pagel, tweeted: “To everyone else — very early days but this coronavirus variant (now in two countries) has a lot of new mutations that makes it very different to previous Omicron strains.”

Experts have warned that it is too early to panic and that lockdowns or other pandemic-era restrictions won't be needed.