First case of Covid-19 Pirola variant reported in Bulgaria

One case of Pirola variant, which is an Omicron subvariant of the virus that causes COVID-19, has been confirmed in Sofia, according to data published on October 25 on the website of the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases.

The study analysed 88 clinical SARS-CoV-2 samples taken from patients in 14 districts of the country between 14 September and 12 October. Samples were sent to the Centre from nine laboratories. Omicron and its sub-variants were detected in all samples, and BA.2.86 - Pirola, placed under the World Health Organisation's monitoring, was confirmed in one patient.

Sub-variants defined by the World Health Organization as being of high interest were also detected: EG.5 in one case, EG.5.1 in two, XBB.1.9.2 in one and XBB.1.5 in one. In addition, EG.x subvariants were reported in 11 cases, XBB.x in 31 cases, and other subvariants were confirmed in 46 of the samples.

Epidemiologists and virologists reported in late September that the spread of the Pirola subvariant was being reported across Europe and one of its initial symptoms was eye redness.