Battle COVID Eris: The WHO is examining a new COVID-19 variation linked to an upsurge in illnesses in other countries.
Eris (EG.5.1) has been added to the WHO‘s SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance inventory. It immediately gained popularity in the U.K. and U.S.
Eris is the second most frequent strain of infection in the U.K., according to the UKHSA. It accounts for 14.55 percent of cases and grows 20.51% every week. It is less common than its Omicron subvariant Arcturus, or XBB.1.16, which accounts for 41.82% of U.S. cases.
What’s Eris’ COVID version? Eris is EG.5.1’s nickname. Omicron (B.1.1.529) is Eris’ subvariant. As part of the E.G5# classification, it is on the WHO watchlist with EG.5.
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T. Ryan Gregory, a professor of integrative biology at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, coined Eris on X, formerly Twitter.
The new Eris version is arriving where? The CDC reports that Eris has surpassed Arcturus in the U.S. In the two weeks ended August 5, 17.3% of cases were Eris.
Summer saw increased COVID stays in the U.S. and the U.K. In the week ending July 22, U.S. hospital admissions surged 12.1%.
The UKHSA reported a 40.7% increase in hospitalization in England in the week ending July 29.
According to the U.K.’s Zoe Health Study, Eris exhibits symptoms similar to Omicron. Symptoms include:
Our Reader’s Queries
This summer, a new strain known as EG. 5, or Eris (named after the Greek goddess of strife and discord), is making waves. As a descendant of Omicron, Eris has become the leading subvariant of the coronavirus in the country, spreading to more people than any other strain.
Is there a test for Eris COVID?
Can Current COVID Tests Spot New Variants? Merchak suggests that current COVID tests should still be able to accurately identify COVID cases even with the emergence of Eris and Pirola. This is partly because the new variants are related to Omicron, and also because of the testing methods used.
Is Moderna’s updated COVID vaccine effective against Eris variant in humans?
Moderna announced on Thursday that its latest COVID-19 vaccine has proven effective against the “Eris” variant in humans. Initial study data also showed promising results against the “Fornax” subvariant. This is encouraging news in the ongoing battle against the virus, as new variants continue to emerge.
What is the new COVID variant fall 2023?
The CDC is currently monitoring a SARS-CoV-2 variant known as BA. 2.86 and is actively researching its potential effects on public health. This latest update comes after the CDC’s previous update on September 15, 2023, regarding the BA. 2.86 variant.