Covid-19 New Eris variant of concern

August 15, 2022 - Recorded cases of COVID are rising in the U.S., Europe and Asia, with EG.5 or Eris identified as a variant of concern – fast growing and likely to become the dominant form as immunity levels wane.

Related Graphics

View More

Humans may be reaching the zenith of life expectancy

What is the new Covid XEC variant?

WHO declares Mpox global health emergency

Tiger mosquito spreading dengue fever in Europe

U.S. marijuana use outpaces alcohol

Prostate cancer cases to double in 20 years

Efforts continue to deliver aid routes into Gaza

Mass death imminent in famine-struck Gaza

Spiralling sexually transmitted infections in Europe

More than a billion people obese worldwide

Medical studies highlight long Covid risks to heart

Tuberculosis fight recovering from Covid but still off target

Twin births have almost doubled since 1970

Wegovy weight-loss frenzy

Syphilis surge in U.S. as drugs run low

Child routine immunisation hesitancy on the rise

China Covid deaths could be far higher than official data

China’s Covid deaths expected to hit 36,000 a day

Countries placing Covid rules on travellers from China

The spiralling cost of the U.S. opioid addiction crisis

Japan tries to boost alcohol consumption

Moderna two-strain booster vaccine

Monkeypox cases confirmed in more than 80 countries

Ghana declares outbreak of deadly Marburg virus

Omicron variant BA.5 behind new COVID surge

14.5% of global population has contracted Lyme disease

Rise in monkeypox cases around the world

What to know about the monkeypox virus

Monkeypox cases confirmed in several countries

North Korea reports Omicron variant outbreak in Pyongyang

The WHO singled out Eris to be closely watched because of mutations that might make it more contagious or severe. It has an extra spike protein mutation which can give it a transmission advantage over other previously dominant variants, but also affects how antibodies neutralise the virus, possibly allowing it to evade immunity due to previous infection or vaccination.

Global EG.5 infections account for around 17% of total cases, up from just 1% in late May, and while it is generally no more dangerous than the earlier Omicron variant, U.S. hospitalisations have soared by 40% since a low in June, while still 90% lower than the January 2022 Omicron outbreak.