The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified a new strain of Covid-19, called EG.5 or “Eris,” as a variant of interest. This variant is accounting for an increasing number of cases in countries such as China and the United States. The WHO designates a variant of interest when it is being monitored for mutations that could make it more severe.
However, based on current evidence, the WHO states that EG.5 poses a low public health risk globally, similar to other variants currently in circulation. This is in line with the WHO’s previous declaration that Covid-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern.
The symptoms of the Eris variant are reported to be similar to past variants, including fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, runny nose, and changes in taste and smell. So far, there have been no reported changes in disease severity caused by EG.5.
Although the variant is showing increased prevalence, growth advantage, and immune escape properties, it has not been linked to more severe cases. The variant’s official name is EG.5, with “Eris” being a nickname given online that has gained popularity.
Sequencing information submitted to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) shows that EG.5 cases have been identified in China, the United States, South Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France, Portugal, and Spain. In the US, EG.5 is now the dominant strain, accounting for 17.3% of cases as of August 5th, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Experts believe that the reformulated Covid vaccines, expected to be available in the US from late September, will offer better protection against the EG.5 variant. Justin Lessler, a professor in the Department of Epidemiology at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, stated that the reformulated vaccines are expected to be more effective against EG.5 due to its closer relation to the XBB variants.
The CDC Director, Mandy Cohen, has confirmed that new vaccines will become available in the US from late September as the responsibility for vaccine distribution shifts to the private sector.
Overall, while EG.5 is classified as a variant of interest, current evidence suggests that it poses a similar level of global risk as existing variants. The development of reformulated vaccines offers hope for better protection against this variant, with availability expected in the US in the coming months.