Introduction

The World Health Organization has classified the new variant of Covid-19, known as Eris or EG.5.1, as an interesting option. However, its risk to public health remains low.

Origin and Popularity

Eris is a sub-variant of Omicron called XBB.1.9.2. It is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide, particularly in countries like the UK, China, and the US.

Naming and WHO Guidelines

The mutant was named after the Greek goddess Eris, which means “rainbow”. This name aligns with WHO guidelines for using Greek letters to name coronavirus variants. The aim is to use simple and easy-to-pronounce nomenclature.

Low Public Health Risk

The World Health Organization has assessed the public health risk posed by EG.5.1 as low globally. The risks associated with this variant are similar to other circulating variants of Covid-19.

Timeline

Eris first appeared in February but started gaining prominence in July, when its proportion of total cases doubled.

Added to List of Controlled Mutants

The World Health Organization has included EG.5.1 in its list of mutants under control.

Symptoms

Eris exhibits five common symptoms of Omicron, including a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and a sore throat.

Experts’ View

Scientists are uncertain about the reasons behind Eris’ increasing prevalence, but its exponential growth led the WHO to classify it as an interesting variant. Experts believe that it could contribute to a rise in infections worldwide.

Monitoring and Impact

Experts worldwide will continue to monitor Eris and assess its impact, particularly as schools and universities reopen. The WHO has reported infections in 51 countries, including China, the US, and various European countries.

Source: The Independent + Business Insider.