EG.5.1 VARIANT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Sci & Tech)

Context: A new strain of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified in the United Kingdom last month. 

Key Points

• The EG.5.1 variant, code-named Eris, accounts for 14.6 percent of all cases in the country. 
• However, the strain may not be a concern for India.
• While it is currently not clear whether any EG.5.1 variants have been reported in India, New Delhi-based public health specialist said there is no concern due to the nature of the virus and the country’s past exposure.
• As a strain of Omicron, the variant symptoms include runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a sore throat.