It was officially designated as a variation on July 31 and given the nickname "Eris" "due to the increasing number of genomes in UK data, and continued growth internationally.
An increase in hospital admissions in the US and UK has been associated with a new Covid-19 variation known as EG.5.1. While health organizations and specialists all over the world are keeping an eye on the spread of the virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has added the Omicron subvariant, dubbed Eris, to its monitoring list.
What is the new version of Covid-19?
The Covid-19 Omicron virus (B.1.1.529) has a subvariant known as EG.5.1. Though not the official name, Eris has been proposed on social media by users and medical professionals. The WHO has included it under "variants under monitoring (VUMs)" but has not yet designated the virus as a variant of concern or interest.
The EG.5.1 variant, according to Stuart Turville, virologist, researcher, and associate professor at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, is "a little bit more slippery" and "competitive" than its rivals because it can "navigate better with the abundance of antibodies" generated by vaccines.
Where is its spread occurring?
As outlined by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), EG.5.1 initially raised monitoring concerns on July 3, 2023, due to escalating global reports, notably in Asia.
Official classification as a variant transpired on July 31 due to its increasing presence in UK genomic data and continued growth worldwide.
In the UK, EG.5.1 constituted 11.8% of sequenced samples during the week starting July 10, ranking second at 14.55% after Arcturus, with a weekly growth rate of 20.51% by July 20. Arcturus accounted for 39.35% of UK cases.
The US experienced Eris as the predominant Covid-19 variant, holding 17.3% prevalence in the two weeks ending August 5, per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Moreover, Pune, India also recorded an Eris case. Dr. Rajesh Karyakarte, coordinator for genome sequencing in Maharashtra, affirmed its detection in May.
What are its symptoms?
EG.5.1 symptoms mirror Omicron, including sore throat, coughing, altered smell, headache, sneezing, and fatigue.
