Omicron sub-lineage BA.2 identified in Idaho

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) and Central District Health (CDH) are announcing the first confirmed infection with the BA.2 sub-variant of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in Ada County. 

“The identification of the first infection with this sub-variant of Omicron is a reminder that the virus that causes COVID-19 will continue to mutate as long as it is being transmitted,” said Dr. Christine Hahn, state epidemiologist and the medical director for DHW’s Division of Public Health. “There is no way to know how mutations might change the illness they cause, which is why it’s important to get vaccinated and boosted, and to take other precautions, including wearing a mask in public places, to reduce the spread.” 

The BA.1 lineage of Omicron is currently causing 98% of all COVID-19 infections in Idaho, making the severity of illness and infectiousness from the BA.2 sub-variant unknown. Very early data from Asia and Europe indicate there has not been major differences in disease severity or the effectiveness of currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines against the BA.2 sub-lineage. 

However, treatments for COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 vaccines to protect against infection may become less effective as mutations continue to emerge. In addition, natural immunity from infection with prior variants may not be protective against future variants. “It is important to take steps to reduce transmission to reduce the chance of mutations and being up to date on vaccination is our best defense,” said Central District Health’s Communicable Disease Control Manager Lindsay Haskell. “All of Idaho is currently in high transmission and now is the time that everyone should take action to help reduce the spread.”

The BA.2 sub-variant has been identified in 22 U.S. states and at least 40 countries where it is reportedly spreading quickly. 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s data dashboard does not report sub-variants of each World Health Organization variant separately. Additional cases of BA.2 will be included in the total number of Omicron cases on the dashboard. 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

Central District Health serves Ada, Boise, Elmore, and Valley Counties, and is dedicated to its vision of creating healthy people in healthy communities. Learn more at cdh.idaho.gov.