EG.5, a newly identified Omicron variant that the WHO has categorized as a 'variant of interest,' is not expected to present a significant pandemic risk in India, according to Dr. N K Arora, the head of the Covid-19 working group within the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. Dr. Arora stated that EG.5 was first identified in India between May and June. Thus far, there has been no noteworthy alteration in the Covid-19 infection rate or the need for hospitalization attributed to this particular subvariant.

“There is a sub-variant of the Omicron XBB variant that has been in circulation for months and most people are already exposed to it.” - Chairman added.

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has alleviated worries regarding a possible rise in COVID-19 cases caused by EG.5, an Omicron variant. This particular variant, EG.5, originates from the ancestral lineage XBB.1.9.2. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that a collective count of 7,354 genetic sequences of the Omicron EG.5 variant has been contributed to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) by 51 different countries.

Taking into account the existing evidence, the United Nations' health agency has determined that the potential public health threat posed by EG.5 is categorized as 'low' on a global scale. This assessment corresponds to the risk level attributed to XBB.1.16 and other variant of interest (VOI) strains currently in circulation.

Source: Times Of India