Title: Eris Becomes Most Prevalent COVID Variant in the US, WHO Reports
Subtitle: Highly-Contagious EG.5 Subvariant Responsible for Surge in Cases
Date: September 30, 2023
In a recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it has been revealed that the Eris subvariant now accounts for 29.4 percent of COVID-19 cases in the United States. This marks a significant increase from two weeks ago when Eris accounted for 24.5 percent of US cases.
Eris is recognized as an offshoot of the highly-contagious Omicron strain, which has been causing concern worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) labeled Eris as the EG.5 strain and issued a Risk Evaluation statement regarding its spread and impact.
According to the WHO, EG.5 cases have been confirmed in 71 countries, with the United States reporting the largest percentage. China, Japan, South Korea, Canada, and the United Kingdom follow closely behind in terms of Eris prevalence.
“While EG.5 has shown increased prevalence, growth advantage, and immune escape properties compared to other currently circulating variants, there have been no reported changes in disease severity to date,” the WHO stated in its statement. However, due to its growth advantage and immune escape characteristics, EG.5 has become the most prevalent variant globally and is causing a rise in case incidence.
The EG.5 variant was first identified in mid-February 2023 and was designated as a variant under monitoring by health authorities in mid-July. It rapidly gained traction and has now become the dominant strain in the US.
Symptoms commonly associated with Eris include a runny nose, sneezing, cough, nausea, sore throat, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and changes to or loss of the sense of smell and taste.
As the situation rapidly evolves, it is crucial for individuals to stay informed. Keep checking Daily Voice for the latest updates on the Eris variant and its impact on public health.
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