“WHO Raises Concerns as Eris Covid Variant Surges: A Closer Examination”

The Eris Variant: A Growing Concern

Health risk of EG.5, which is related to Omicron subvariant, judged to be low but may drive larger wave of infections

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August 10, 2023

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared a new variant of Covid-19, known as EG.5 or “Eris,” as a variant of interest due to its growing prevalence globally. While the public health risk associated with Eris has been judged as low, concerns have been raised regarding its ability to evade the immune system, enabling it to compete with other circulating variants.

A Low Health Risk, But Potential for a Larger Wave

The WHO has assessed the public health risk posed by Eris as low at the global level. Although the variant has shown increased prevalence, growth advantage, and immune escape properties, there have been no reported changes in disease severity to date. Professor Christina Pagel from University College London acknowledges that Eris is better at evading the immune system and may cause a wave of more cases, leading to an increase in hospitalizations and long-term effects such as Long Covid. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that Eris will result in more severe disease compared to previous waves.

Waning Immunity and Potential Impacts

Pagel highlights that waning immunity, whether from vaccinations or previous infections, may contribute to a longer peak and a potentially larger wave of Eris cases. As schools reopen and people return to work and university after the summer break, the increased infectiousness and ability of Eris to evade antibodies imply a potential for rapid growth in the number of cases. Professor Stephen Griffin, a virologist at the University of Leeds, suggests that this could lead to an uptick in infections in the UK.

Continued Pattern of Variant Waves

Professor John Edmunds, an infectious diseases expert at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, points out that successive waves of Omicron sub-variants have been observed over the past 18 months. This pattern suggests that the emergence of new variants, such as Eris, is not unexpected. However, it is crucial to monitor Eris closely and prioritize actions to better understand its characteristics, including antibody escape and severity.

Recommendations and Importance of Vaccination

The WHO has outlined several recommended actions for member states to better understand the characteristics of Eris. These actions include monitoring changes in indicators of severity and focusing on antibody escape. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has already reported that EG.5.1, a subvariant of Eris, accounts for an estimated 15% of sequenced Covid-19 cases in England.

Dr. Meera Chand, the deputy director of UKHSA, emphasizes the importance of vaccination as the best defense against future Covid-19 waves. She encourages eligible individuals to take up all available vaccine doses as soon as possible, emphasizing the ongoing need for vaccination efforts in the face of emerging variants like Eris.

Conclusion

While the designation of Eris as a variant of interest may raise some concerns, it is important to note that the WHO has assessed the public health risk associated with Eris as low. However, the variant’s ability to evade the immune system and its potential to drive a larger wave of infections warrant continued monitoring and research. Vaccination remains the most effective means of protection against Covid-19, and individuals are urged to get vaccinated to mitigate the potential impact of Eris and other emerging variants.

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