The Eris Covid variant, also known as EG.5, has captured global attention as it spreads across countries, prompting vigilant monitoring by the World Health Organization and spurring vaccine manufacturers to prepare for a fall release of reformulated vaccines tailored to address its unique characteristics.
In recent months, a new strain of Covid-19, named EG.5 or “Eris,” has emerged and is causing ripples across the globe. As the World Health Organization (WHO) closely monitors this variant, healthcare experts are assessing its implications, symptoms, and potential for widespread transmission. In this article, we delve into the latest information regarding the Eris variant, its symptoms, its spread, and its potential impact on public health.
Emergence of the Eris Variant
The WHO’s attention was drawn to the EG.5 variant due to its increasing prevalence, particularly in countries like China and the United States. Designated as a “variant of interest,” Eris is being closely watched for any mutations that could potentially enhance its severity or transmissibility. However, based on the current available evidence, the WHO maintains that Eris poses a low public health risk globally, similar to other variants in circulation. This decision is in line with the WHO’s declaration that Covid-19 is no longer considered a public health emergency of international concern.
Symptomology and Characteristics
Symptoms associated with the Eris variant mirror those of past variants, including fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, runny nose, and alterations in taste and smell. Importantly, while EG.5 has demonstrated increased prevalence and unique properties such as growth advantage and immune escape, there have been no reported changes in disease severity thus far. The variant’s capacity for immune escape and its growth advantage might enable it to become the dominant strain in specific regions or even globally.
Global Spread and Dominance
The EG.5 variant, informally known as “Eris,” has made its presence felt across various continents. Through sequencing data shared with the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID), it has been identified in countries such as China, the United States, South Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France, Portugal, and Spain. Notably, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that EG.5 is currently the dominant strain in the United States, accounting for 17.3% of cases as of the week ending on August 5th.
Vaccine Considerations and Response
As the Eris variant gains prominence, the healthcare sector is gearing up to address this evolving threat. Leading vaccine manufacturers such as Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax are diligently working to adapt their vaccines to address emerging variants. These new vaccines, expected to be released in the coming fall, are specifically aimed at addressing the XBB variants, which trace their lineage back to the Omicron variant.
Novavax, for instance, has reported that its vaccine generates functional immune responses against XBB subvariants including XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, and XBB.2.3. Interestingly, EG.5 is a descendant of a variant that shares a spike amino acid profile with XBB.1.5. This genetic proximity suggests that the reformulated vaccines set to roll out in the fall might offer enhanced protection against EG.5 compared to their predecessors.
According to Justin Lessler, a respected professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, the genetic relationship between EG.5 and the XBB lineage underscores the expectation of improved vaccine efficacy against the Eris variant. This prospect is especially encouraging as vaccine distribution shifts to the private sector in the United States, with new vaccine formulations expected to be available from late September, as confirmed by CDC Director Mandy Cohen.
In conclusion, the emergence of the Eris Covid variant has ignited a renewed focus on vaccine adaptation and global surveillance efforts. While this variant showcases unique properties, its impact on disease severity remains consistent with other strains. As healthcare institutions prepare for a new wave of reformulated vaccines, the proactive response to the Eris variant underscores the healthcare industry’s commitment to protecting public health in an ever-evolving landscape.
