Russian experts revealed 17 cases of infection with a new version of the EG.5 or Eris coronavirus from April to August of this year. This was reported in the press service of Rospotrebnadzor.
The department noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) added the EG.5 line (“Eris”) to the list of options under surveillance, and the first samples containing the virus dating on 17.02.2023.
“In the Russian Federation, the first isolated cases of infection by the EG.5. 5. were identified in April 2023 (in Moscow, Moscow Region, St. Petersburg, Magadan and Irkutsk regions, Krasnodar Territory, republics of Buryatia and Khakassia) . Total 17 cases, or 0.24 % of all cases of infection from April to August 2023, ”the message will say.
The EG.5 version (Eris) demonstrates a significantly higher distribution efficiency compared to the prevailing XBB predecessors (such as XBB. 1.5. Kraken, XBB. 1.16. “Arctur”). The spread of EG.5 is observed in China, the USA, Great Britain, as well as in certain countries of Europe and Asia. Currently, the EG.5 option was detected in 51 countries, the department noted.
Currently, in the Russian Federation, the EG.5 option has not yet been widespread, but the risks of complicating the epidemiological situation on Covid-19 related to its distribution exist.