New COVID variant EG.5 dominant in U.S., says CDC.

New COVID variant EG.5 dominant in U.S., says CDC.

The Emergence of the Eris Variant and the Changing Landscape of COVID-19

A new force to reckon with

The Eris variant, dubbed EG.5, has rapidly become the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the United States. According to recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 17.3% of COVID-19 cases in early August were attributed to the Eris variant, representing a significant increase of 7.5% compared to the previous month. This has turned the spotlight to this newest member of the Omicron subvariants, which share a common lineage with the XBB strain – the target of this fall’s COVID-19 shots.

Unraveling the success of Eris

So why is the Eris variant gaining ground and outpacing other variants? Experts speculate that a “slightly beneficial mutation” could be giving Eris an advantage. This mutation may allow the variant to evade certain immune responses or enhance its ability to infect cells. However, further research is needed to fully understand the implications of this mutation.

A shifting landscape

While the emergence of the Eris variant represents a change in the COVID-19 landscape, it is essential to note that it is not the only variant vying for dominance. Other significant variants include XBB.1.16, accounting for 15.6% of cases, and XBB.2.23, responsible for 11.2% of cases, as indicated by the latest CDC data. Additionally, XBB.1.5 contributes to 10.3% of cases, while the FL.1.5.1 variant, an offshoot of XBB, is attributed to 8.6% of cases.

The criticality of surveillance and sequencing

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization’s technical lead for COVID-19, emphasizes the ongoing importance of surveillance and sequencing efforts even as the urgency of the pandemic diminishes. She underscores the need to remain vigilant in monitoring the evolving nature of the virus and its variants. By continually tracking the prevalence and characteristics of different strains, public health authorities can make informed decisions about mitigation strategies and the development of future vaccines.

The challenges of tracking variants

However, the CDC’s ability to track and monitor variants has faced challenges. Due to limited sequencing data, the emergence of the Eris variant was not fully recognized until now. The CDC relies on data from California, Georgia, and New York, which have provided sufficient sequences for national updates. The number of sequences uploaded to virus databases has significantly decreased, falling from tens of thousands to less than 2,000. This limitation hinders the accurate estimation of variant proportions, particularly in regions with fewer available sequences.

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CDC spokesperson Kathleen Conley clarifies that the Nowcast estimates displayed are based on modeled data, requiring an adequate number of sequences for accurate predictions. Although some regions may have limited sequencing information, they still contribute to the aggregated national Nowcast. It is vital to address these limitations and ensure broader and more comprehensive sequencing efforts to effectively monitor and assess the spread of COVID-19 variants across the country.

Moving forward with caution

As the Eris variant becomes the dominant strain, it serves as a reminder that the threat of COVID-19 persists. Despite progress in vaccination efforts, it is crucial to maintain a proactive stance by adhering to public health guidelines, practicing preventive measures, and staying informed about emerging variants. Only through continued surveillance, robust sequencing, and effective vaccination strategies can we navigate these evolving challenges and safeguard our communities from the impact of COVID-19.

Source: CBS News