SWITZERLAND — In a critical move, the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the EG.5 coronavirus strain circulating in the United States and China as a “variant of interest.”
Despite its rapid spread and prevalence, this new variant does not seem to carry heightened risks to public health compared to other variants.
As the world grapples with the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, the emergence of EG.5 presents both a puzzle and a potential opportunity for understanding the virus’s evolution.
The EG.5 coronavirus variant has taken center stage as the most dominant strain in the United States, accounting for over 17% of cases.
Its footprint extends beyond national borders, having been detected in countries like China, South Korea, Japan, and Canada.
While this variant’s swift propagation has triggered concerns, the WHO’s evaluation suggests that it might not carry additional public health risks when compared to other Omicron descendent lineages.
The WHO’s risk evaluation provides a measured perspective on the EG.5 variant. According to their analysis, the collective evidence available doesn’t signal a heightened threat in terms of public health implications compared to its counterparts.
However, the WHO emphasizes the need for a more comprehensive evaluation of the variant’s potential risks.
Balancing act: Increased transmissibility vs. severity
EG.5’s increased transmissibility has come under scrutiny. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s technical lead on COVID-19, notes that while EG.5 exhibits enhanced transmissibility, it doesn’t appear to be more severe than other Omicron sublineages that have been in circulation since late 2021.
The dynamics between transmissibility and severity present a complex interplay, shaping the understanding of the virus’s impact.
Meanwhile, Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has voiced concern over the lack of comprehensive COVID-19 data reporting to the WHO.
Highlighting that only 11% of countries have reported crucial data on hospitalizations and ICU admissions linked to the virus, he underlines the importance of transparent and thorough reporting.
The absence of data from various nations undermines the global response and hampers the effectiveness of mitigation strategies.
In response to the data gaps, the WHO has issued standing recommendations, urging countries to sustain COVID-19 data reporting.
Vital statistics like mortality and morbidity data are essential for understanding the virus’ behavior and devising effective countermeasures.
As the absence of data casts a shadow on the world’s ability to respond promptly, the call to action gains urgency.
The pandemic’s evolution has underscored the significance of timely data sharing and response. Van Kerkhove expresses concern over the growing delay in anticipating and acting on emerging developments.
“About a year ago, we were in a much better situation to either anticipate or act or be more agile,” she said. “And now the delay in our ability to do that is growing. And our ability to do this is declining.”
For all the latest healthcare industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, and YouTube Channel, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook.
