WHO Declares 'Eris' Covid Strain a Variant of Interest Amid Global Case Surge

Health Risk of EG.5, Linked to Omicron Subvariant, Deemed Low but Could Fuel Infections Surge

A new strain of Covid-19 has gained the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO), being labeled a variant of interest amidst a surge in global cases. Despite its growing prevalence, the health risk posed by the EG.5 strain, also referred to as "Eris," has been assessed as low.

The EG.5 variant has emerged in relation to an Omicron subvariant known as XBB.1.9.2. This variant has been spreading across the globe, impacting nations including the United Kingdom, China, and the United States.

However, the WHO has indicated that the EG.5 variant does not present a significant threat. According to the agency, "Based on the available evidence, the public health risk posed by EG.5 is evaluated as low at the global level." The risk level is deemed to be comparable to other circulating variants of interest.

The WHO emphasized that, although EG.5 has shown traits such as increased prevalence, growth advantage, and immune evasion properties, there have been no reported changes in disease severity so far.

Professor Christina Pagel, an expert in operational research at University College London, noted that while the EG.5 variant is gaining prevalence and appears more adept at evading the immune system, there is no evidence suggesting it leads to more severe illness.

"While EG.5 will likely cause a surge in cases and associated issues such as increased hospitalizations and cases of Long Covid, there is currently no reason to believe it will be worse than previous waves this year," she stated.

Pagel pointed out that waning immunity, whether from vaccinations or prior infections, could potentially extend the duration of the EG.5 wave and consequently lead to a larger impact.

Professor Stephen Griffin, a virologist from the University of Leeds, cautioned that the variant's slow increase in prevalence in the UK might change with the return of schools and workplaces after the summer break, given its higher infectiousness and ability to evade antibodies.

Infectious diseases expert Professor John Edmunds from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine acknowledged that the new variant might lead to an increase in cases. He also observed that the pattern of successive waves of Omicron sub-variants has been consistent over the past 18 months.

To better comprehend antibody escape and the severity of EG.5, the WHO recommended several actions for member states, including monitoring indicators of severity.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently released an update indicating that the EG.5 strain, specifically its subvariant EG5.1, accounts for approximately 15% of sequenced Covid-19 cases in England. Dr. Meera Chand, Deputy Director of UKHSA, stressed that the emergence of new variants was anticipated and highlighted the importance of vaccination as the primary defense against future waves.

"Vaccination remains our best defence against future Covid-19 waves, so it is still as important as ever that people come take up all the doses for which they are eligible as soon as possible," Chand emphasized.