What is the Eris Variant (Virus)? What are its Symptoms?

Coronavirus, which shook the world for 2 years, has emerged with a brand new variant since February 2023: Eris variant (EG.5). This variant has created a new wave of fear as one of the newest and possibly highly contagious mutation of COVID-19. But how dangerous is the Eris virus? Are we going into a new wave of pandemics and lockdowns?

 

What is the source of the coronavirus Eris variant?

According to the World Health Organization, the EG.5 (Eris) virus is derived from the Omicron variant. This means that getting vaccinated against COVID-19, wearing a mask and social distancing are still our best options. Getting just two doses of Covid-19 vaccine produces a faster and stronger immune effect against EG.5 than not getting vaccinated at all.

 

What are the symptoms of Eris variant (Eris virus)?

The World Health Organization has determined that the symptoms of the Eris variant are similar to the symptoms of other COVID-19 variants:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throa
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Muscle pain or muscle weakness
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Loss of taste or smell
• Diarrhea or stomach upset

 

Where did the Eris virus spread from?

This variant was first detected in South Africa in February 2023 and spread very quickly to other parts of the world. Studies in the UK now show that one in every 6 cases of coronavirus is caused by Eris. It is not yet known whether Eris causes more serious symptoms than the known symptoms of COVID-19, but some research suggests that this variant may be more contagious than previous variants. This could mean a new wave of flu, which means that a harsh winter may be ahead for some risk groups.

 

Who is considered at risk for the Eris variant?

As this variant has only recently been identified, it is not yet known which age groups and risk groups should be alarmed. But you can expect it, like other variants of COVID-19, to be more dangerous for older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people who have not been vaccinated. If you or a loved one falls into these risk groups, it is wise to take some additional precautions over the next 6 cold months.

What are the ways to prevent the Eris variant (Eris virus)?

To protect yourself from the new variant, the rate of spread and the extent of which is not yet clear, you need to do the same things as you would do in any other viral case:

Get vaccinated: COVID-19 vaccines help reduce the severity of the disease and immunize you against it. Vaccines can protect against different variants. Getting vaccinated according to the schedule recommended by health authorities and experts can reduce the dangerous effects and spread of the virus. If you are not comfortable with m-Rna vaccines go for the classic ones.

Use a mask: A mask can help protect you and the people around you from infection. It is important to wear a mask in places with a lot of people or when you cannot maintain social distancing.
Social distancing: Following social distancing rules to limit contact between people reduces the risk of transmission. Avoiding crowded places and minimizing personal contact where possible can also be ways of protection.

Hand hygiene: You can try to prevent any such infection by washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Also, you better minimize contact between hands and face.

Follow public health guidelines: Following the recommendations of local health authorities and scientists can help control the spread of infection. Following these recommendations plays an important role in protecting public health.

Avoiding contact with Covid positive people: It is important to limit contact with people showing symptoms of COVID-19, and for those showing symptoms of COVID-19 to self-isolate.

 

How wide is the global spread of the Eris variant?

As of August 2023, the Eris variant has been detected in 72 countries. These countries include the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Japan, Japan, South Korea and India. This new Covid variant accounts for approximately 16% of COVID-19 cases worldwide.