A fast-spreading newCOVID-19variant called EG.5 is now the dominant strain in the U.S.
EG.5 also is on the rise in several other countries globally, including China, South Korea and Canada. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization classified it as a"variant of interest."
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EG.5 —which was first detected in the U.S. in the spring — is closely related to the XBB variants that have been circulating for the past six months. It notably containsa particular mutationin its spike protein known to evade some of the immunity a person gets after an infection or vaccination.
Last month, EG.5 quickly surpassed the prevailingOmicronXBB variants which had accounted for the largest share of U.S. cases, indicating it’s likely more transmissible. According toCDC data, in April 29, the XXB 1.5 (Omicron) variant caused 73.5% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. though the latest data shows the same variant only accounts for 10.3% of cases.
Some public health experts believe waning population immunity could be contributing to the fast spread of EG.5.Getty
However, health experts say EG.5 does not cause more severe illness and is associated with similar symptoms as the XBB variants. Those symptoms include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and an altered sense of smell.
“Omicron is out there making minor variations. It’s having children, progeny, but they’re all closely related to omicron,” Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, toldABC News. “They are contagious, but they are not more serious, so that’s excellent.”
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Andrew Pekosz, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at Johns Hopkins University, said waning population immunity is likely contributing to the rapid spread of EG.5.
Pekosz said the new variant shouldn’t be of high concern to the generation population. However, he urged those people who are particularly susceptible to severe COVID-19 — including the elderly and those with certain medical conditions — to be more cautious and make sure they have access to testing and antivirals. Additionally, he advised those individuals to consider wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.
Pekosz also noted that the new COVID vaccine, set to be rolled out in the fall, is based on the XBB variants, and therefore should provide good immunity for EG.5. “There should be a nice match between that vaccine and the EG.5 variant, as well as the other XBB variants that are circulating right now,” he explained.
source: people.com
