A coronavirus test in Milford, Connecticut, in February 2022 U S Army/ZUMA Press Wire Service/Shutterstock
Recorded coronavirus cases are on the rise around the world, including in countries such as the UK, US and China. Last week, the World 午夜福利1000集合 Organization (WHO) named an omicron subvariant called EG.5, or 鈥淓ris鈥, as a variant of interest, directing governments to keep a close eye on it. Here鈥檚 what we know so far.
What is EG.5?
EG.5 is a descendant of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant, which was first recorded in November 2021. It is closely related to XBB.1.9.2, another omicron subvariant, but has an extra spike protein mutation. by at the University of Guelph, Canada.
The subvariant also has an offshoot, dubbed EG.5.1, which contains an additional spike protein mutation.
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EG.5 was first reported to the WHO on 17 February and was placed under monitoring on 19 July. On 9 August, after growing numbers of recorded EG.5 cases, the organisation designated it 鈥 along with EG.5.1 – as a 鈥渧ariant of interest鈥, advising health authorities to carefully monitor its transmission.
Where has EG.5 been identified? And how prevalent is it?
Globally, reports of EG.5 have been surging. In the week ending 23 July, 17.4 per cent of all sequenced SARS-CoV-2 cases were identified as EG.5, compared with just 7.6 per cent in the previous month.
As of 7 August, EG.5 cases had been reported to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data by 51 countries, including China, the US, Australia and Japan.
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鈥淓G.5 is gradually taking over as the dominant variant in many countries,鈥 says at the University of Glasgow, UK, replacing its closely related subvariant XBB.1.16.
In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that , making it the fastest growing and most common version of SARS-CoV-2 in the country.
Meanwhile, the UK 午夜福利1000集合 Security Agency estimates that .
Does EG.5 cause more severe illness than previous variants?
The WHO has evaluated the health risk posed by EG.5 as being low and similar to that of other omicron subvariants.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 detect a change in severity compared to other omicron subvariants,鈥 Maria Van Kerkhove at the WHO .
Is it more contagious? And does it evade vaccines?
EG.5鈥檚 extra spike protein mutation gives it a transmission advantage over previously dominant variants, says Willett. The same mutation also affects how antibodies neutralise the virus, which may enable it to evade immunity brought about by a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination, he says.
What are EG.5’s symptoms? How long do they last?
As with other SARS-CoV-2 variants, EG.5 most commonly causes fever, a cough, fatigue and a loss of taste or smell. It can also cause a sore throat, headache, aches and pains, diarrhoea, rashes and eye irritation.
EG.5鈥檚 symptoms last no longer than any other SARS-CoV-2 variant or subvariant, generally resolving within one to two weeks in mild cases.
How can we protect ourselves against EG.5?
For those who are particularly at risk of covid-19, such as older people and those with compromised immune systems, it is important to keep up with vaccine doses. In the UK, for example, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recently announced that in the coming months.
鈥淟evels of immunity are waning as it is now some time since most people were vaccinated or boosted,鈥 says Willett. To avoid infection, the general advice of regular handwashing still applies, he says.
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