What is the new variant of Covid-19, EG.5 (Eris), and how rapidly is it spreading worldwide?

“The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new report on the latest EG.5 (Eris) variant of Covid. According to the report, the status of the variant that was previously classified as ‘under surveillance’ has been changed to ‘variant to be monitored,’ and there is a steady increase in the prevalence of ‘Eris’ globally.

Although the pandemic might seem like a past memory for many, the coronavirus continues to spread with new cases on the rise due to the virus’s latest mutated forms.

The new subvariant of Covid-19, initially referred to as EG.5 at the beginning of the year, is showing an increase in Europe. As cases increase globally, EG.5 has been added to the list of ‘variants to be monitored’ by the World Health Organization this month.

WHAT IS THE NEW VARIANT EG.5 (ERIS)?

EG.5 is a subvariant of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 and is closely related to other variants circulating worldwide. It is known as a mutated version of the virus. By the end of June, it constituted 7.6% of Covid-19 cases, and by the end of July, its prevalence had risen to 17.4% globally.

Last week, the WHO published a new report on the EG.5 (Eris) variant. According to the report, there is a steady increase in the prevalence of Eris, which was previously classified as ‘under surveillance’ and has now been changed to a ‘variant to be monitored.’ As of August 7th, over 7,000 samples from 51 countries have been shared.

Based on current evidence, the public health risk posed by Eris is evaluated as ‘low at the global level’ similar to the risk posed by other existing Covid-19 variants. Due to its characteristics, Eris is noted to have the potential to spread globally and lead to an increase in cases.

According to the WHO, the public health risk associated with this variant is lower compared to previous circulating variants due to its similarity.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF EG.5 AND IS IT MORE SEVERE THAN OTHER VARIANTS?

Professor Andrew Pekosz from Johns Hopkins University’s Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology mentioned in an interview with the university’s public health school that the symptoms of EG.5 seem similar to other variants.

Among the Covid-19 symptoms are fever, cough, fatigue, as well as a runny nose, headache, and muscle pain. It can feel like a common cold, flu, or pneumonia.