Cape Town – The National Department of Health has confirmed the first case of the new Covid-19 “Eris” variant in Gauteng.
Despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) designating Eris as a variant of interest (VOI), it currently poses a low risk to the public.
“This doesn’t mean we should lower our guard because the virus mutates, which means there is no guarantee that its low severity status will remain unchanged to become a higher risk,” the department said, calling on people, especially the elderly and those living with comorbidities, to get the jab.
The variant, also known as EG.5, is a subvariant of the Omicron lineage and has been steadily increasing in prevalence, with sequences from 51 countries.
A Covid-19 sub-variant responsible for a wave of new cases around the world has been detected in SA. The Health Department confirmed a case of the Eris sub-variant in Gauteng. Should SA be worried? SA Medical Association’s Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa weighs in.https://t.co/uQjVaBSK7D pic.twitter.com/P1n6YPqx0E
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 16, 2023
The largest portion of sequences comes from China, followed by other countries.
Although EG.5 has shown growth and immune escape properties, no changes in disease severity have been reported.
While there’s currently no direct link between EG.5 and increased hospitalisations, the WHO warns that its characteristics could lead to a rise in cases and potential dominance in some countries or globally.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
