Title: Omicron Subvariant EG.5 Becomes Dominant Strain in the U.S., but Limited Data Hinders Comprehensive Analysis
Date: [Insert Date]
By [Insert Author’s Name]
The COVID-19 omicron subvariant EG.5 has emerged as the most dominant strain in the United States, accounting for 17.3 percent of coronavirus infections, according to the latest genomic surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the limited data collection makes it difficult to fully understand the implications of this shift in strain prevalence.
In just two weeks, EG.5 saw a significant increase of 5 percent from the last updated proportions, indicating its rapid spread. Nevertheless, the prevalence of EG.5 remains relatively minor, with the XBB.1.16 strain being the second most prevalent, accounting for 15.6 percent of cases.
Unfortunately, the CDC no longer tracks national COVID-19 case rates, which makes it challenging to determine the impact of EG.5’s recent growth. While hospitalization data is still being regularly updated, the slight rise in hospitalizations suggests higher transmission levels. However, it is unclear whether this trend can be attributed solely to EG.5.
The decline in comprehensive viral data collection, following the end of the national public health emergency for COVID-19, compounds the difficulty in assessing the situation accurately. Currently, the CDC only possesses genomic data from three out of the ten U.S. regions under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Remarkably, EG.5’s dominance is limited to Region 4, encompassing much of the Southeast, where genomic data is available. Falling within the XBB family of omicron subvariants, EG.5 developed from the XBB.1.9.2 strain. Previously, XBB.1.5 had held dominance in the U.S. for several months until briefly overtaken by XBB.1.16 in July.
The World Health Organization (WHO) first detected EG.5 in February of this year and currently classifies it as a “variant under monitoring.” This classification implies that EG.5 exhibits genetic differences that may indicate early growth advantage compared to other circulating strains, although further assessment is necessary.
It is essential to distinguish EG.5 as a variant of monitoring since it has not reached the status of a variant of concern or interest, which substantially impacts healthcare systems’ ability to care for COVID-19 patients or is associated with significant epidemiological risks.
The relative genetic closeness between EG.5 and XBB.1.5 presents an advantage for the U.S. as it approaches the fall season. Health authorities are preparing for a fall COVID-19 vaccine campaign, with vaccine manufacturers developing updated shots targeting XBB.1.5, as it was the most dominant strain when health advisory committees made their selection for this upcoming season.
Although XBB.1.5 may not be the most widely circulating strain in the fall, health officials anticipate that the vaccine’s cross-protection against severe disease and hospitalization will remain strong.
As the situation unfolds, it is crucial to gather comprehensive data to fully understand the impact of EG.5’s dominance and make informed decisions regarding prevention and vaccination efforts.