By The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported growing concerns among health officials regarding a swiftly spreading new variant of COVID-19 named Eris (EG.5.1). This variant, originating from the Omicron lineage, has rapidly gained prominence both within the UK and internationally.
Initially flagged for monitoring on July 3, 2023, Eris has swiftly progressed from being a monitored signal to being officially designated as a variant (V-23JUL-01) on July 31, 2023. This classification aims to facilitate comprehensive analysis and detailed characterization of the variant.
Eris, affectionately dubbed EG.5.1, has been added to the WHO SARS-CoV-2 variant monitoring list and has demonstrated swift prevalence in both the UK and the US.
As of July 20, Eris ranks as the second most prevalent variant contributing to infections within the UK, accounting for approximately 14.55% of cases. Its rate of growth stands at 20.51% per week, according to data from the UKHSA. The leading Omicron subvariant, Arcturus (or XBB.1.16), accounts for 41.82% of cases in the US.
In the UK, Eris was responsible for around 11.8% of sequenced cases during the week commencing July 10. This percentage has since risen to a concerning 14.6% of total cases.
This surge in infections has coincided with an increase in hospital admissions, exacerbated by adverse weather conditions and declining immunity. As the seasons transition and the virus continues to evolve, new variants like Eris continue to emerge worldwide, underscoring the persistent challenge of pandemic management.
Dr. Pavithra Venkatagopalan, a corona-virologist and COVID awareness specialist, underscores the necessity of maintaining vigilance regarding Eris. While treatment and preventive measures remain consistent, unvaccinated individuals are strongly advised to seek vaccination and booster shots should be considered if not already administered.
Isolation and testing are pivotal for symptomatic individuals, particularly as schools reopen and cases resurge. The potential impact of hospitalization on younger populations remains uncertain.
Both the US and the UK have witnessed an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations during the summer months. The US reported a 12.1% rise in hospital admissions for the week ending July 22, according to CDC data.
In England, hospitalizations experienced a significant uptick of 40.7% during the week ending July 29 compared to the previous seven days, as reported by the UKHSA.
The evolving scenario surrounding the Eris variant underscores the need for continuous monitoring and strict adherence to preventive measures. Vaccination, testing, and isolation remain crucial strategies to mitigate the spread of this variant and manage its potential impact on public health.
