The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the EG.5 strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating in different parts of the world, including India, as a “variant of interest” but said it did not seem to pose more of a threat to public health than other strains. EG.5 or Eris variant of SARS-CoV-2 was first reported on February 17, and designated as a variant under monitoring (VUM) on July 19. It is a descendent lineage of Omicron subvariant XBB.1.9.2.

Variants are broadly categorised into three categories—variants of interest, variants of concern and variants of high consequence. VOIs are defined as variants with specific genetic markers that have been associated with changes that may cause enhanced transmissibility or virulence, reduction in neutralisation by antibodies obtained through natural infection or vaccination.