EG.5 covid-19 variant

 

EG.5, the latest omicron covid-19 subvariant that is being dubbed “Eris”, may spread more easily than past versions of the virus and could evade immunity

 

Recorded coronavirus cases are on the rise around the world, including in countries such as the UK, US and China. Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) named an omicron subvariant called EG.5, or “Eris”, as a variant of interest, directing governments to keep a close eye on it

What is EG.5 covid-19 variant?

EG.5 is a descendant of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant, which was first recorded in November 2021. It is closely related to XBB.1.9.2, another omicron subvariant, but has an extra spike protein mutation. It was nicknamed Eris by T Ryan Gregory  at the University of Guelph, Canada.

The subvariant also has an offshoot, dubbed EG.5.1, which contains an additional spike protein mutation.

EG.5 was first reported to the WHO on 17 February and was placed under monitoring on 19 July. On 9 August, after growing numbers of recorded EG.5 cases, the organisation designated it – along with EG.5.1 – as a “variant of interest”, advising health authorities to carefully monitor its transmission

 

Where has EG.5 covid-19 variant been identified? And how prevalent is it?

 

Globally, reports of EG.5 have been surging. In the week ending 23 July, 17.4 % of all sequenced SARS-CoV-2 cases were identified as EG.5, compared with just 7.6% in the previous month.

As of 7 August, EG.5 cases had been reported to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data by 51 countries, including China, the US, Australia and Japan.

How can we protect ourselves against EG.5 covid-19 variant

?

For those who are particularly at risk of covid 19, such as older people and those with compromised immune systems, it is important to keep up with vaccine doses. In the UK, for example, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recently announced that “at-risk” groups will be vaccinated in the coming months.

“Levels of immunity are waning as it is now some time since most people were vaccinated or boosted,” says Willett. To avoid infection, the general advice of regular handwashing still applies, he says.

Coronavirus virion structure

 Schematic diagram of the Coronavirus particle. S, spike protein; M, membrane protein, E, envelope protein; N, nucleocapsid protein; ; structural proteins of coronavirus

Does EG.5 covid-19 variant cause more severe illness than previous variants?

The WHO has evaluated the health  risk posed by EG.5 as being low and similar to that of other omicron subvariants.

 

What are EG.5 covid-19 variant symptoms? How long do they last?

As with other SARS-CoV-2 variants, EG.5 most commonly causes

fever

cough

fatigue

loss of taste or smell.

It can also cause a sore throat, headache, aches and pains, diarrhoea, rashes and eye irritation.

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What are the types of Coronavirus Vaccines ?

 

Can people get re-infected after being previously infected by COVID-19? 

some studies suggest that people who were previously infected with COVID-19 could be re-infected more easily with Omicron comparing with other variants of coronavirus disease, when compared to other variants of concern, but information is limited. More information on this will become available in the coming days and weeks.

There are several actions WHO recommends countries to undertake, including enhancing surveillance and sequencing of cases;  sharing genome sequences on publicly available databases, such as GISAID; reporting initial cases or clusters to WHO; performing field investigations and laboratory assessments to better understand if Omicron has different transmission or disease characteristics, or impacts effectiveness of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics or public health and social measures.

Countries should increase some public health and medical capacities to manage an increase in cases.  WHO is providing countries with support and guidance for both readiness and response.

In addition, it is vitally important that inequities in access to COVID-19 vaccines are urgently addressed to ensure that vulnerable groups everywhere, including health workers and older persons, receive their first and second doses, alongside equitable access to treatment and diagnostics.  

What can we do to reduce the spread of EG.5 covid-19 variant?

 

People around the world must take measures to reduce their risk of COVID-19, keeping social distancing, wearing well-fitting masks, hand hygiene, improving ventilation of indoor spaces, coughing or sneezing into a bent elbow or tissue, avoiding crowded spaces, and getting vaccinated. You can easily get vaccinated by registering for vaccine in Ministry of health website through this link