Globally, even though the speed of corona infection is quite controlled, still its risk has not been reduced. Recently, a new variant of Corona EG.5.1 has been confirmed in the UK, which scientists have named 'Eris'. Studies are still going on to understand this new variant, which is considered to be of the Omicron family, is currently considered to be one of the variants with higher infectivity.
According to media reports, a case of this variant has also been reported in India, about which health experts have been alerted.
According to media reports, this variant was confirmed in India in May itself, after which two months have passed and there has been no significant increase in cases during this period, so health experts say that at present it is People don't need to panic about it. Yes, it is necessary to follow the measures to prevent corona, because the risk of mutation in variants remains constant.
WHO's eye on the nature of the variant
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified this variant of Corona as a 'Variant of Interest'. Experts say that there is no possibility of a major threat from this variant.
Based on the available evidence, the public health risk posed by EG.5.1 appears to be underestimated globally. The infectivity rate of the variant may be higher, which has been seen previously with other variants of Omicron, but the risk of developing severe disease is lower.
How different are its symptoms?
WHO scientists say that so far there has been no change in the severity of the disease in the patients seen due to this new variant of corona, which means that the risk of developing severe disease or hospitalization is being seen in infected people.
Similar to the infection with the previous variants of Omicron, this time also most of the patients are complaining of the same symptoms like sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, dry cough, headache, and body ache. The risk of developing shortness of breath or serious disease is not being seen at the moment.
What do health experts say?
Christina Pagel, professor of operational research at University College London, said that although cases of this variant are increasing rapidly, it is less likely that it will develop severe disease, as seen in the case of infection with the delta variant. I went.
However, in some reports, scientists have expressed concern that most people have reduced antibodies made from vaccination and previous infection, so new variants may make certain groups more prone to infection.
Know about this variant
Based on the reports of preliminary research, it is known that this new variant of Corona EG.5.1 is a sub-type of Omicron variant XBB.1.9.2. Two additional spike mutations (Q52H, F456L) are observed in this new variant as compared to its parent strain. These mutations make this variant more infectious.
It has been found to infect people with weak immunity or chronic diseases more rapidly, which is the reason why cases of infection have increased rapidly in many countries.
(PC: freepik)
