This is all that is known about 'Eris', the new variant of the coronavirus that the WHO alerts: what are its symptoms?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a report this week in which it qualifies as a “variant of interest” EG.5, a lineage descendant of XBB.1.9.2 that was reported for the first time on February 17. Likewise, the United Nations organization has highlighted that this new variant of Covid-19 could cause a rebound in cases worldwide.
Origin of this new strain
As the international organization explains, EG.5 carries an additional F456L mutation in the spike protein compared to the subvariants from which it comes, XBB.1.9.2 and XBB.1.5. Within the EG.5 lineage, the EG.5.1 subvariant has an additional Q52H mutation in the spike and represents 88% of the available sequences for EG.5 and its descendant lineages.
Do you have new symptoms?
For now, there is no evidence that this new variant causes more severe symptoms, and they are similar to the symptoms caused by Omicron, such as runny nose, sore throat, cough, congestion, headache, fever, and muscle pain.
The microbiologist María del Mar Tomás, spokesperson for the Seimc, explains in another article for 20minutos that this new, more transmissible variant has symptoms similar to Omicron, with vulnerable people and those with some pathology being the ones who should be more careful.
New #COVID19 variant of interest: EG.5.
Formerly a variant under monitoring, WHO has now designated this a variant of interest.
There has been a steady increase in this variant's prevalence. As of 7 August 2023, over 7000 sequences have been shared from 51 countries.
More… pic.twitter.com/DlDdAPYMos
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) August 9, 2023
Are hospitalizations increasing?
The WHO assures that, for the moment, there is no scientific evidence that an increase in hospitalizations is taking place.. The United Nations international health organization has described as “low” the risk to public health posed by EG.5, known as 'Eris'.
“Although EG.5 has shown increased prevalence, growth advantage, and immune escape properties, no change in disease severity has been reported to date.”. As of August 7, 7,354 EG.5 sequences have been reported from 51 countries, with the majority coming from China, the United States, South Korea, and Japan.. Cases have also already been reported in some European countries, such as France, Portugal and Spain.