A latest COVID-19 variant, formally often called EG.5 but nicknamed Eris, is spreading rapidly in lots of parts of the world. Although the general public health risk is estimated to be low, the World Health Organization on Wednesday warned all nations to watch the cases, while classifying it as a “variant of interest.”
“Based on the available evidence, the general public health risk posed by EG.5 is evaluated as low at the worldwide level,” the WHO said.
“We’d like to make sure that sequencing continues. The virus is evolving. The virus is circulating in every country, and EG.5 is one among the most recent variants of interest that we’re classifying. This can proceed, and that is what now we have to organize for,” WHO’s Maria Van Kerkhove said in a press conference.
What’s EG.5 or Eris?
EG.5 is a subvariant of Omicron variant and has overtaken the prevailing Omicron XBB strains. Ever since Eris was first detected in February, cases have been reported in 51 countries. In line with estimates, 17.3% of COVID-19 cases within the U.S. are expected to be brought on by EG.5.
Symptoms of the brand new variant
Symptoms of EG.5 will not be very different from the opposite variants and it can’t be clinically identified.
The symptoms include:
- Fever and chills
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Change in smell and taste
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty respiratory
Prevention
As with all variants of COVID-19, vaccination stays probably the most really useful way for prevention. Although there isn’t a specific vaccine for the variant, experts consider all COVID-19 vaccines currently available can reduce the severity of the disease.
Adopting precautionary steps like regular handwashing and staying away from infected people also will help reduce the transmission.
Disease severity
Experts consider the variant could also be highly infectious although it isn’t known to cause a more severe infection.
“While EG.5 has shown increased prevalence, growth advantage, and immune escape properties, there have been no reported changes in disease severity thus far,” the WHO said.
“It should probably cause a wave of more cases and all the issues that bring – [such as] more hospitalizations and Long Covid– but [there is] no reason in the meanwhile to think [that will be] worse than previous waves this yr,” Christina Pagel, a professor of operational research at University College London, told Guardian.
Published by Medicaldaily.com