VARYING AT THE MOMENT. People still infected with Covid-19 at the end of 2023 are mostly infected with the EG.5 or Eris variant, still in the majority according to Santé Publique France.
The majority of cases of Covid-19 reported in France at the moment are linked to contamination by the EG.5 variant, Omicron sublineage. It is “the most detected variant” always confirm Public Health France the 29th November 2023with 37% of sequences analyzed (vs. 41% the week before). This variant escapes more neutralization conferred by vaccinationwhether messenger or bivalent RNA vaccines, and even if people have already been infected with the Omicron variant. “There F456L mutation (carried by EG.5) would be a major factor of
competitiveness for EG.5“ reports Santé Publique France but this is not “associated with a worrying signal in terms of severity”.
What is the Eris variant?
EG.5 is a sublineage of XBB.1.9 (which descends from the variant Omicron). EG.5 was first reported on February 17, 2023 and designated as a “variant under surveillance” (VUM) on July 19, 2023.WHO classified it as variant of interest to follow (VOI) on August 9. His particuliarity : he wears the F456L mutation located on an area of the Spike protein which is the target of neutralizing antibodies and who could therefore have a impact on immune escape of this variant.
What are the symptoms of Eris virus?
“There is no indication that EG.5 has a different clinical presentation” reports Public Health France. Covid infections linked to the Eris variant appear as follows: usual symptoms of the virus: cold, sore throat, fatigue, headache… At the microphone ofEurope 1Julia contaminated by the Eris variant said: “I was coldI had a little sore throat, I didn’t have a fever (…) it’s like a sore throat coupled with a cold“. She put the mask back on and applied the recommended social distancing so as not to contaminate those close to her. If in doubt, it is always possible to get tested in pharmacies and laboratories.
What is its evolution?
Detection of the Eris variant has started increase worldwide in early May 2023especially in Asia (China, Japan and South Korea) then in North America (United States and Canada) and Europe. As of November 13, 2023, EG.5 is the most detected lineage globally.