EG.5 is a descendent lineage of Omicron subvariant XBB.1.9.2. Know more about the signs and symptoms below.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified the newly detected EG.5 strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, also called the Eris strain, which is currently dominant in US and UK, as a “variant of interest” (VOI). As per reports, this new COVID variant is driving a fresh wave in some parts of the world including India. As of August 7, 7,354 sequences of EG.5 have been submitted to GISAID, the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data, from 51 countries.
Taking cognizance of the worsening situation, the global health body has formed a team to keep an eye on the behaviour of this new strain. However, WHO has also stated that even as the variant is wreaking havoc in some parts of the world, it does not seem to pose more of a threat to public health than other strains.
New COVID Strain Eris: What We Know So Far
The newly detected variant has already entered India, and since the country has battled the worst variants like Delta and Omicron in the past few years, it is important to understand how threatful this new variant of COVID is.
What is Eris Variant of COVID?
EG.5 or Eris variant of SARS-CoV-2 was first reported on February 17 this year. Considering the sudden spike in cases, the global health body designated this new strain as a variant under monitoring (VUM) on July 19.
What Makes a Variant To Get Classified Under The VOI Category?
Variants are broadly categorised into three categories: (1) “variants of interest,” (2) “variants of concern” and (3) “variants of high consequence.”
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines VOIs as genetic variants that have been linked to alterations that may result in changes that may increase transmissibility or virulence, decrease neutralisation by antibodies acquired through natural infection or vaccination, or both.
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10 Symptoms of Eris – The New COVID Variant
Although, symptoms of coronavirus infections are very much similar for all the types of variants and strains, here are the top 10 signs that experts have quoted for this new variant:
- High-grade fever
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Blocked nose
- Sneezing
- Headache
- Body pain
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Breathlessness
In case you spot any of the above-mentioned symptoms, get yourself tested for COVID immediately.
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