A recent study in Japan found that the subvariant of omicron isn’t just more contagious, but could potentially cause more severe disease than the original.

The authors of the study said that their conclusions “suggest that the risk of BA.2 for global health is potentially higher than that of BA.1.” Researchers gave hamsters the subvariant, also known as BA.2, and the original variant. It was found that the hamsters that were given BA.2 had increased damage to the lungs and more loss of weight, according to WebMD.

Both variants also appear to avoid the immunity provided by the vaccines. “In summary, our data suggest the possibility that BA.2 would be the most concerned variant to global health,” the authors of the study wrote. “Based on our findings, we propose that BA.2 should be recognized as a unique variant of concern, and this SARS-CoV-2 variant should be monitored in depth.” Getting the booster shot, however, seems to make illness around 75% less likely.

Earlier this month, World Health Organization COVID technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove explained that it isn't clear if BA.2 differs at all from BA.1 in regard to severity, and stressed that getting vaccinated is still the best way to prevent severe disease.

“We need people to be aware that this virus is continuing to circulate and it’s continuing to evolve,” Van Kerkhove said. “That’s why it’s really important that we take measures to reduce our exposure to this virus, whatever variant is circulating.”

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