Eris COVID-19 Strain Designated 'Variant of Interest'

Amid a global rise in cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified a novel strain of COVID-19, referred to as 'EG.5' or 'Eris,' as a "variant of interest." "With this risk evaluation, we are designating EG.5 and its sub-lineages as a variant of interest (VOI)," revealed WHO.

Global Spread of EG.5 Variant: A GISAID Data Snapshot

As of August 7, around 7,354 sequences of EG.5 have been submitted to GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data) (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
EG.5 Initial Risk Evaluation

Go to source) from 51 countries.According to WHO, the largest portion of EG.5 sequences are from China (30.6 percent, 2247 sequences).The other countries with at least 100 sequences are the US (18.4 percent, 1356 sequences), the Republic of Korea (14.1 percent, 1040 sequences), Japan (11.1 percent, 814 sequences), Canada (5.3 percent, 392 sequences), Australia (2.1 percent, 158 sequences), Singapore (2.1 percent, 154 sequences), the UK (2.0 percent, 150 sequences), France (1.6 percent, 119 sequences), Portugal (1.6 percent, 115 sequences), and Spain (1.5 percent, 107 sequences).

"Based on the available evidence, the public health risk posed by EG.5 is evaluated as low at the global level," WHO stated, adding that the risk appeared to be comparable to that of other circulating variants of interest.

"While EG.5 has shown increased prevalence, growth advantage, and immune escape properties, there have been no reported changes in disease severity to date," it added.As with Omicron, the most common symptoms of EG.5.1 include runny nose, headache, fatigue (mild or severe), sneezing and sore throat, as per the Zoe Study app.

Reference:

1. EG.5 Initial Risk Evaluation - (https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/09082023eg.5_ire_final.pdf?sfvrsn=2aa2daee_1)

Source-IANS