A new COVID subvariant, EG.5, often known as Eris, has arisen and taken over as the predominant strain in the United States amid a summer spike in COVID-19 cases. Many people are speculating whether this new COVID variety is exhibiting new symptoms.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that EG.5 now represents the majority of COVID-19 infections in the nation compared to all other variants.
The World Health Organization identified EG.5 as a variation of interest as instances spread around the globe.
Last month, the dominant omicron XBB strains in the United States were rapidly surpassed by the EG.5 variety.
The most recent CDC estimates show that EG.5 represented an estimated 17.3% of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases over the two weeks that ended on August 5, up from 12% the previous two weeks.
What is Eris or EG.5?
The virus’s omicron XBB sublineage, namely XBB.1.9.2, is where EG.5 originated. A WHO risk assessment study states that the spike protein has an additional mutation.
According to Dr. Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at Johns Hopkins University, “When we look at its sequence, EG.5 is similar to the other XBB variants circulating right now, with a few small changes.”
On July 19, 2023, the WHO added EG. 5 to its list of variants under surveillance; nevertheless, the variant was discovered for the first time in February 2023. This variety has been known to scientists and found in other nations, according to Pekosz.
According to the WHO, the bulk of sequences for EG.5 are from China, followed by the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and Canada. So far, EG.5 has been found in 51 countries, and prevalence has steadily risen worldwide.
The “Arcturus” variety of XBB.1.16 is still the most common strain of COVID-19 in the world.
According to WHO, the danger to public health posed by EG.5 is “low” and comparable to that of XBB.1.16 and other exciting variants.
Is EG. 5 more contagious?
According to Dr. Albert Ko, a professor of infectious diseases at Yale School of Public Health and an expert on infectious diseases, the EG.5 variant is extremely comparable to other omicron variants, making it highly transmissible.
Dr. Sharon Nachman, director of the division of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, says that EG.5 is most likely more contagious than other XBB variations.
Nachman explains that EG.5 suddenly replaced other XBB variations that previously dominated in the United States over the summer. “If it were equally transmissible, then we wouldn’t see it gaining strength numerically compared to some of the other variants,” he adds.
Ko claims that it is unknown why EG.5 is more contagious.
“Whether it’s escaping population immunity or it has some intrinsic factor that makes it better able to transmit from one person to another… it’s hard to separate,” the author continues.
The WHO claims that EG.5 has better immune escape characteristics than other versions. “EG.5 may cause a rise in case incidence and become dominant in some countries or even globally,” the WHO said in a report.
Pekosz points out that the EG.5 variety could not be the only factor contributing to the U.S. summer spike. There is always concern about whether a new type could cause an increase when instances start to appear, according to Pekosz.
He continues that many additional variants are co-circulating, so it doesn’t appear that one mutation is responsible for the rise in cases (in the U.S.).
The following most prevalent variations after EG.5 were XBB.1.16, XBB.2.3, and XBB.1.5 accounted for 15%, 11%, and 10% of cases, respectively. According to CDC estimates, EG.5 accounted for around 17% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. during the two weeks ending on August 3.
Because of the increase in cases, Pekosz says, “We’re keeping an eye on (EG.5), but there doesn’t seem to be anything particularly alarming about this variant.
More information is required to fully comprehend how EG.5’s transmissibility relates to other strains. Pekosz observes that it is becoming more difficult to precisely track new COVID-19 cases and the mutations causing them due to declining testing and genomic sequencing levels.
He explains, “Right now, there’s much guesswork.”
E.G.5: Is it more severe?
The experts point out that the information does not suggest that EG.5 infection severity differs from other variations.
“There have been no reported changes in disease severity to date,” the WHO stated in its risk assessment of EG.5.
There is no proof that EG.5 is to blame for the recent rise of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the United States or that it’s more likely to cause hospitalizations in general, Nachman observes.
Nachman states, “The people hospitalized often have many co-morbidities, and they’re at risk regardless of what COVID strain they get.”
However, Ko thinks that when more people contract E.G.5, it’s feasible that hospitalizations would rise much further. Ko continues, “There’s no concrete proof at this point, but we must keep evaluating.”
As long as EG.5 is circulating, population immunity from vaccination and prior infection should protect people from serious illness.
What signs and symptoms are present?
According to NBC News, the most typical EG.5 symptoms don’t have enough clinical data yet.
According to Pekosz, the EG.5 symptoms have not changed recently. According to Ko, thus far, EG.5’s symptoms resemble those of omicron exceptionally closely. These consist of Cough, Sore throat, Runny nose, Sneezing, Fatigue, Headache, Muscle aches, and Altered sense of smell.
As the infection progresses into your lungs, you can experience more severe breathing difficulties, according to Pekosz.
People over 65, those with impaired immune systems, and those with underlying medical issues are some of the populations who are more likely to experience severe illness or consequences.
EG.5 detection with COVID-19 tests?
According to Pekosz, EG.5 should be detectable by all COVID-19 testing, including PCR tests conducted by medical professionals and quick at-home antigen tests available over-the-counter.
As COVID-19 cases rise, especially in the fall when viruses with similar symptoms (such as the flu and RSV) are in circulation, the specialists stress the significance of getting tested.
Pekosz says, “If you’re in one of the high-risk groups for getting severe COVID, you really shouldn’t hesitate to get a test,” adding that early detection is the key to treating COVID. He adds that antivirals for COVID-19, including Paxlovid, are effective against EG.5 and other variations, although they function best when given early.
If you have concerns about the price of the test or if your insurance still supports COVID-19 testing after the U.S. federal public health emergency ended in May, check with your insurer.
Checking the at-home test’s expiration date is also crucial. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that quick tests have a shelf life of four to 24 months, but some tests now have longer expiration dates.
This fall, will I require a COVID-19 booster?
The specialists advise everyone to maintain their COVID-19 immunization schedule, which may involve receiving a new booster dosage in the upcoming months. The FDA instructed vaccination producers to upgrade their boosters in June 2023 to target the then-dominant strain, omicron XBB.1.5.
Although the FDA has not approved these shots, NBC News stated it may do so by the end of August for Pfizer’s booster shot.
The scientists point out that they might still offer protection even if the new boosters don’t contain the EG.5 strain. Nachman claims that if he administers the XBB-containing vaccination, you will produce antibodies similar to and specific to XBB.
According to Pekosz, EG.5 is now a close match to the vaccination that will be made available this fall.
However, the CDC has not yet provided any definitive instructions or advice for booster doses for the fall.
The message concerns the COVID immunization program, which will launch in the fall. Many people (especially those at high risk) should consider getting the vaccine, according to Pekosz.
How to defend yourself from EG.5:
In addition to keeping up with COVID-19 immunizations, the experts recommend taking preventative measures to safeguard yourself and stop COVID-19 transmission, such as:
- Often wash your hands with soap and water.
- Remaining at home when ill.
- Avoiding sick people’s company.
- Better ventilation.
- Putting on a mask in crowded, enclosed areas.
- Covering sneezes and coughs.
