Everything you need to know about Éris, the new variant of Covid-19 that has already arrived in Brazil

This year, following the declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the end of the Covid-19 global health emergency, a new chapter is emerging in the pandemic scenario. The EG.5 sub-variant, known as Éris, has gained prominence and worried health authorities around the world.

Recently, Brazil registered the first case of this strain. With this, the question arises: what changes with the arrival of the Éris variant?

The discovery of the Éris variant in Brazil

The first case of the Éris sub-variant was registered in Brazil recently, in the city of São Paulo. A 71-year-old woman, already fully vaccinated, was diagnosed with the new strain. Éris is a derivation of the omicron variant, which has become predominant in cases of Covid-19 all around the world.

More than 50 countries have already reported cases of the Éris variant, with significant numbers concentrated in places such as China, the United States, South Korea, Japan and others. Éris has mutations that increase its transmission capacity and potential to escape immunity, making it a target of concern for experts and health authorities.

Image: iStock/Reproduction

In this context, the WHO assesses that, to date, the public health risk of the Éris variant is low at a global level. Although the new strain has characteristics that may favor its spread, it is too early to draw definitive conclusions about its severity and impact on public health.

According to Dr. Keny Colares, PhD in Medical Sciences and consultant at the Ceará School of Public Health, the Éris variant is still unknown in terms of behavior and effects. Therefore, it is not yet possible to say whether it will cause a significant increase in cases, overload on health services or whether it will result in more serious forms of the disease.

Preventive measures and reinforcement of vaccination

Despite the uncertainties, experts highlight the importance of preventive measures. Although the mandatory use of masks has been relaxed in many places, the recommendation is that masks be used in crowded environments and in risky situations.

Experts also emphasize the importance of maintaining the complete vaccination schedule, including the most recent dose of the bivalent vaccine.

Brazil, although it is in fourth place in the administration of booster doses, still faces challenges in covering the population with the vaccine bivalent.

In Ceará, for example, only 15.4% of the population received the most up-to-date reinforcement against Covid-19, according to data from the IntegraSUS platform. See below a graph on the administration of vaccination in different countries.

Image: Our World in Data/Reproduction

The epidemiological scenario varies between different regions and countries. In Brazil, in 2023, more than 1.4 million cases of covid-19 were recorded. Although there has been a reduction in relation to the peak of the pandemic, experts warn that the Éris variant brings a new element of uncertainty and requires surveillance to be continued.

Amid the complexity of this new phase of the pandemic, the importance of following public health recommendations, staying up to date with information provided by health authorities and continuing to adhere to preventive measures, such as using masks and vaccination, is evident.

In short, the battle against Covid-19 continues, and the arrival of the Éris variant demands attention and responsibility from everyone.