Srinagar, Aug 17, (BuzzBytes): Amid the emergence of the new Covid-19 variant Eris in several Indian states, the Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) sought to allay concerns on Thursday, stating that the variant does not pose a significant threat and does not warrant undue alarm.
Addressing the issue, Dr. Nisar ul Hassan, an expert in influenza and President of DAK, emphasized, “Current evidence does not indicate an increased severity of illness caused by the new variant.”
Dr. Hassan clarified that the EG.5, referred to as Eris, is a sub-variant of the Omicron strain of Covid-19. This variant has been spreading rapidly across nations such as the UK, US, China, Europe, and Japan.
India first identified the Eris variant in May 2023. Notably, the relatively stable incidence rate over the past three months since its detection suggests that there is no immediate cause for heightened concern.
Dr. Hassan pointed out that Eris is essentially a sub-lineage of Omicron, a strain many have already encountered. As a result, the population possesses a substantial level of immunity against both Omicron and its sub-variants.
“Our robust vaccination coverage and existing natural immunity make it improbable for this variant to trigger a new wave of infections within our populace,” Dr. Nisar affirmed.
He explained that the emergence of new variants is a natural outcome of the virus’s genetic evolution, and Eris is merely the latest iteration. “It’s important to recognize that we will encounter the Eris variant for a certain period before it gets replaced by another mutation. This pattern is inherent to the virus’s behavior,” he remarked.
In line with global surveillance, the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the EG.5 variant as a monitored variant of interest rather than a variant of concern. This classification reflects the consensus that Eris does not present a substantial risk to public health.
In sum, the DAK’s assessment suggests that while the emergence of new Covid-19 variants is inevitable, Eris does not currently pose a notable danger. The ongoing efforts to boost immunity through vaccinations and previous exposure to related variants are expected to provide a safeguard against the potential impact of Eris. (BuzzBytes)
