Rospotrebnadzor admitted that the situation with covid could worsen due to the new omicron strain EG.5

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes the rapid spread in the world of a new variant of the EG.5 omicron strain of coronavirus and its offshoot EG.5.1, which received the nickname Eris from scientists – in honor of the Greco-Roman goddess of strife and chaos. The new strain worries experts with its rapid spread: in mid-June, the share of EG.5 in the world was only 7.6%, and in mid-July it was already 17.4%. Rospotrebnadzor said that isolated cases of infection with this variant have so far been identified in Russia, but admitted that there is a possibility of a worsening of the epidemiological situation.

The EG.5 coronavirus subspecies was first discovered back in February 2023. It is a direct descendant of the Omicron strain – it has the same amino acid profile of the spike protein, but carries a number of additional mutations. On June 19, the World Health Organization designated it as a variant under observation (VUM), and on August 10 it was categorized as a variant of interest (VOI). “Omicron”, which caused several large-scale waves of morbidity, we note, the WHO assigned the status of “option of concern” at an emergency meeting two days after the official discovery.

EG.5 has already managed to acquire its own branch – EG.5.1. According to a report by a group of biologists from the University of Basel in Switzerland, EG.5 carries a specific mutation in a spike protein called S:F456L that likely helps it evade some of the body’s defense mechanisms. EG.5.1 acquired an additional spike change, S:Q52H, which “may also be a slightly beneficial mutation” for the virus.

It was for EG.5.1 that evolutionary biologist at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Ryan Gregory, coined the nickname Eris, referring to the dwarf planet of the same name, named after the Greco-Roman goddess of discord and chaos.

On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote that this COVID-19 family will have to be talked about for a long time. However, Mr. Gregory stressed, this does not mean that the mutation will be as formidable as its pseudonym.

Experts, meanwhile, have noted a significant increase in the prevalence of EG.5 around the world in recent months. Thus, the prevalence of EG.5 in the world in mid-June was only 7.6%, and in mid-July it was already 17.4%. The highest growth was recorded in China, from 24.7% to 45%, and in the US, from 5.6% to 12.8%. In the UK, the EG.5 variant, or rather its sub-variant EG.5.1, was detected in 15% of patients with coronavirus infection during the last week.

According to Rospotrebnadzorin Russia, the first isolated cases of infection with the EG.5 variant were recorded in April this year in Moscow, the Moscow region, St. Petersburg, the Magadan and Irkutsk regions, the Krasnodar Territory, the republics of Buryatia and Khakassia.

In total, 17 cases of EG.5 were identified between April and August, and so far it has not become widespread.

Nevertheless, the department acknowledged that there is a possibility of a worsening of the epidemiological situation associated with the spread of this option, and assured that the situation remains “under strict control.”

According to the latest WHO report, from July 3 to July 30, more than 1 million new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the world; 3.1 thousand people died. In the European region, the number of new cases decreased by 66% compared with the previous follow-up period, and the number of deaths by 75%. In Russia, for the week from July 31 to August 8, 2932 cases of infection were detected, 922 people were hospitalized. Died from the disease during July 251 people, which is 50% less than in the previous reporting period.

Symptoms of the disease with strain EG.5 and its offshoot Eris are the same as in the previous variants: cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat and chest tightness.

The WHO estimates that the overall risk posed by EG.5 to the population “at the global level” is considered to be low, in line with the risk posed by other currently circulating variants categorized as VOI. “While EG.5 has shown increased prevalence, growth advantage, and ability to evade immunity, there have been no reports of changes in disease severity to date,” the WHO said. However, “because of its growth advantage and immune evasion characteristics” EG.5 may increase the incidence and become dominant in some countries or even worldwide.

Molecular biologist and researcher at Moscow State University Sergey Kharitonov says that EG.5 infects people a little more effectively than previous variants, including the progenitor “omicron”. However, according to Mr. Kharitonov, “infection figures are related to the scientific side of the issue and are of little importance in the context of the danger of coronavirus and the measures that need to be taken.” “The general situation now remains the same as it was six months ago: everyone who is at risk – the elderly, people with chronic diseases – needs to be vaccinated in order to avoid the severe consequences of the infection. The rest will also do well to get vaccinated, but new strains should not be feared yet, ”concludes the expert.

Natalia Kostarnova