What is Eris? The new Covid variant spreading rapidly in the UK

By India Today Health Desk: As the world continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, a new variant named Eris or EG.5.1 has emerged, causing alarm across the globe.

This strain of the Omicron variant was first identified on July 31, 2023, and has since become the second most prevalent variant in the United Kingdom, accounting for one in ten Covid cases.

SYMPTOMS OF ERIS

Eris is a descendant of Omicron and shares some of its symptoms. According to the ZOE Health Study, the five most common symptoms associated with this variant are a runny nose, headache, fatigue (ranging from mild to severe), sneezing, and a sore throat.

However, it's important to note that these symptoms are not exclusive to Eris and can also be seen in other variants of the virus.

The rapid spread of Eris has raised concerns among health experts. Professor Christina Pagel, a member of Independent Sage, warned that the UK could potentially face another wave driven by these variants, waning immunity, and unfavourable weather conditions, as quoted by The National News.

As people spend more time indoors due to inclement weather, the risk of transmission increases.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said EG.5.1, which has been nicknamed Eris, makes up one in seven new COVID cases, as per news agency PTI.

Eris was classified as a variant on July 31 after its prevalence was recorded in the country due to increasing cases internationally, particularly in Asia.

Dr Mary Ramsay, UKHSA’s Head of Immunisation, said that regular washing of hands can help protect you from Covid-19 and other bugs and viruses. Dr Ramsay added that if a person is experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness then they should stay away from others where possible.

While Eris is designated as a variant under monitoring by the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is not currently classified as a variant of concern.

TREATMENT FOR ERIS

In terms of treatment, it remains the same regardless of the infectious variant. Patients with mild to moderate illness are usually advised to remain home and self-isolate for up to 14 days to avoid spreading the virus. Vaccination continues to be the most effective way to build herd immunity and put an end to the pandemic.