The National Department of Health has confirmed the presence of the new COVID-19 variant, Eris, in Gauteng, calling for immediate action to combat its potential spread.
Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) categorizing the variant as a low risk to the public, health officials stress that vaccinations remain crucial in safeguarding against any potential escalation.
Urgent Vaccination Encouraged as COVID Eris Variant Detected in Gauteng
Highlighting the importance of vaccinations, especially for vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, the Department of Health stated, “We must not become complacent as the virus continues to mutate, leaving no guarantee that its low severity status will remain unchanged.”
The WHO has officially designated Eris, also referred to as EG.5, as a variant of interest (VOI), within the Omicron lineage. This latest strain, first identified in November 2021, has witnessed a steady increase in prevalence, with over 7,000 sequences detected from 51 countries as of August 7, 2023.
EG.5 was initially reported on February 17, 2023, and classified as a variant under monitoring (VUM) on July 19, 2023.
According to the data provided by WHO, a significant number of EG.5 sequences originate from China, followed by the United States, Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France, Portugal, and Spain.
While EG.5 has demonstrated increased prevalence, growth advantage, and immune escape properties, there has been no documented evidence suggesting changes in disease severity at this time.
However, global health officials caution that due to its growth advantage and immune escape characteristics, EG.5 may prompt a surge in case incidence and potentially become dominant within certain countries or worldwide.
In light of these developments, the urgency to maintain vigilance against the virus cannot be stressed enough. Citizens are urged to visit public healthcare facilities to access life-saving vaccines.
Despite the current low risk associated with EG.5, ongoing vaccination efforts will be vital in preventing any potential escalation in disease severity and helping to curb its spread.
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