WHO spoke about a new version of the coronavirus "Eris" - this is a subspecies of omicron

World Health Organization (WHO) added a variant of the EG.5 coronavirus, called Eris, is on the watchlist. This is a subspecies omicron (XBB.1.9.2), which is actively distributed around the world.

According to WHO, the first samples of the virus were detected on February 17, 2023. Recently, the detection rate of the EG.5 variant has increased from 6.2% to 11.6%, and the rate of spread of the new variant is significantly higher than the previous dominant variants - “krakenand Arcturus. Eris has already been detected in 51 countries, including 17 cases in Russia from April to August (0.24% of all infections).

The WHO notes that although this variant spreads more efficiently and eludes immunity, there are no changes associated with a change in the severity of the disease. The symptoms are the same as the previous options: cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat and chest tightness. In people with weakened immune systems and those who belong to risk groups, the disease can lead to more severe consequences. It is also noted that "Eris" is better than other options to evade previously developed immunity.

Rospotrebnadzor notesthat in Russia "Eris" has not yet become widespread, but the risks of complicating the epidemiological situation with COVID-19 exist. Now the situation remains under strict control of the department.