The New COVID 'Eris' Variant and Rising Cases: What You Need to Know

Covid may come back with Eris variant: What you need to know

Covid-19 is a disease caused by a new coronavirus that emerged in late 2019 in China and has since spread around the world, causing a global pandemic. The virus that causes Covid-19 is called SARS-CoV-2, and it belongs to a family of viruses that can cause respiratory infections in humans and animals.

Since its emergence, SARS-CoV-2 has been mutating or changing its genetic code, resulting in different versions of the virus, known as variants. Some variants have become more dominant or prevalent than others, depending on their ability to transmit, cause disease, or evade the immune system.

One of the most widespread and concerning variants of SARS-CoV-2 is Omicron, which was first detected in India in October 2020 and has since been reported in more than 200 countries. Omicron has several mutations that make it more transmissible and less susceptible to some vaccines and treatments.

However, Omicron is not the only variant of SARS-CoV-2 that is circulating in the world. Recently, a new sub-variant of Omicron, called EG.5 or Eris, has been declared as a variant of interest by the World Health Organization (WHO). This means that Eris has some genetic changes that may affect its behavior or impact, but more evidence is needed to confirm its significance.

What is Eris and where did it come from?

Eris is a sub-variant of Omicron that has some additional mutations that may affect its ability to infect cells and escape the immune system. According to the WHO, Eris was first seen in February 2023 and cases have been increasing steadily. It has been dubbed Eris on social media - also the name of a goddess in Greek mythology who causes strife and discord.

Eris is related to another Omicron sub-variant called XBB.1.9.2, which was first detected in South Africa in December 2020 and has also been reported in several countries. Both sub-variants share some common mutations, such as N501Y and E484K, which are known to increase transmissibility and reduce antibody neutralization.

However, Eris has some unique mutations that distinguish it from other Omicron sub-variants, such as Y144T and L452R. These mutations may enhance the binding of the virus to human cells and further decrease the effectiveness of some vaccines and treatments.

How widespread is Eris and how dangerous is it?

According to the WHO, infections with Eris have been reported in 51 countries, including China, the US, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the UK, France, Portugal and Spain. However, the actual number of cases may be higher, as not all countries have the capacity or resources to sequence and identify variants.

The prevalence or proportion of Eris among all Covid-19 cases varies by country and region. In some countries, such as China and South Korea, Eris has become the dominant variant, surpassing other Omicron sub-variants. In other countries, such as the UK and the US, Eris is still a minority variant, but its share is increasing over time.

Based on the available evidence, the WHO says that there is no indication that Eris causes more severe disease or death than other variants of SARS-CoV-2. However, due to its increased transmissibility and immune escape properties, Eris may pose a higher risk of infection and reinfection among people who are unvaccinated or have low levels of immunity.

How can we prevent or control Eris?

The WHO recommends that countries prioritize actions to better understand the characteristics and impact of Eris, such as monitoring its spread, tracking its mutations, assessing its severity and vaccine efficacy². The WHO also urges countries to share data and information on Eris through global platforms and networks.

The best way to prevent or control Eris is to follow the same public health measures that have been proven effective against Covid-19 in general. These include:

- Getting vaccinated with a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible

- Wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth when you are in public or around people who are not from your household

- Maintaining physical distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from others

- Avoiding crowded or poorly ventilated places

- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer

- Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow

- Staying home if you are sick or have symptoms of Covid-19

- Seeking medical attention if you have difficulty breathing or other signs of severe illness

- Following the advice of your local health authorities and complying with travel restrictions and quarantine rules

Conclusion

Eris is a new sub-variant of Covid-19 that has been declared as a variant of interest by the WHO. It has some mutations that make it more contagious and less responsive to some vaccines and treatments. However, it does not appear to cause more severe disease or death than other variants. The best way to prevent or control Eris is to follow the same public health measures that have been effective against Covid-19 in general, such as getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, and avoiding crowds. By doing so, we can protect ourselves and others from Eris and other variants of Covid-19.

Source: 

(1) New Covid Strain ‘Eris’ Now Declared as ‘Variant of Interest’ – What Does That Mean?. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/new-covid-strain-eris-now-declared-as-variant-of-interest-what-does-that-mean/ar-AA1faGvA.

(2) WHO Declares Eris As 'Variant of Interest': 10 Unique Symptoms of New COVID Strain EG.5. https://www.thehealthsite.com/news/who-declares-eris-as-variant-of-interest-10-unique-symptoms-of-new-covid-strain-eg-5-999870/.

(3) WHO classifies 'Eris' Covid strain as 'variant of interest'. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/who-classifies-eris-covid-strain-as-variant-of-interest/articleshow/102628007.cms.

(4) What we know about the Covid variant EG.5 dubbed 'Eris'. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-66461727.

(5) WHO declares ‘Eris’ Covid strain a variant of interest as cases rise .... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/09/who-declares-eris-covid-strain-a-variant-of-interest-as-uk-cases-rise.

FAQ's

What are the symptoms of Eris Covid?

Eris strain symptoms Sore throat. Runny nose. Blocked nose. Sneezing. Dry cough. Headache. Wet cough. Hoarse voice.

Can Covid symptoms come back after?

Sometimes the symptoms can even go away and come back again. For some people, Long COVID can last weeks, months, or years after COVID-19 illness and can sometimes result in disability.

How long is recovery for new COVID variant?

Data from the National Institutes of Health indicate that the COVID recovery time for mild to moderate cases generally ranges from a couple of days to around two weeks. Severe cases can take up to six weeks or more. For Long COVID patients, the COVID recovery timeline can last several months to more than a year.

How long do Covid variants symptoms last?

Other symptoms may include fever, chills, fatigue, muscle or body aches, sore throat, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms can last between five to seven days but vary from person to person. Is XBB.1.5 infection more severe than other COVID-19 variants?