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Just in time for the beginning of autumn, Corona is returning and with it a handful of new variants. The first and most important of these is the EG.5.1 variant, also called “Eris”, which is spreading increasingly rapidly.
According to Richard Neher, virus analyst at the University of Basel Biozentrum, the variant already has a share of 33 percent in Switzerland.
The World Health Organization classified the variant as a “virus variant of concern” at the end of August.
So why is “Eris” so contagious? Scientists at the Leibniz Institute for Primate Research in Göttingen, Germany, addressed this question. “Aargauer Zeitung” reports the results of the study, which have already been published in the specialist journal “The Lancet”.
“Eris” may prevent antibodies from binding
Therefore, the rapid spread of EG.5.1 is not due to the variant being more contagious than others. In contrast, “Eris” is better at evading neutralizing antibodies than other Sars-CoV-2 viruses currently in circulation.
“EG.5.1 has the F456L change in the spike protein, which probably allows the virus to block the binding of some antibodies,” Neher said in an interview with the newspaper. All people whose immune systems create antibodies after vaccination or Corona infection are at the mercy of the variant. This means that almost no one is safe from “Eris” anymore.
Despite its “success in evading the antibody,” it is not currently possible to say whether EG.5.1 will become the dominant variant. “There are other variants, some with similar mutations. It is difficult to predict who will prevail in the end,” the virus analyst said.
Moreover, the expert does not think that “Eris” is more dangerous than other mutations. Study director Markus Hoffmann of the Leibnitz Institute agrees. The ability to evade antibodies is hardly sufficient to completely weaken baseline immunity.
These varieties are also increasing
Besides “Eris,” other variants are also on the rise. An increase in cases was also observed in the omicron variant BA.2.75. Their share in Switzerland is currently 25 percent.
Pirola’s research also makes people sit up and take notice right now. It can be assumed that Pirola is spreading rapidly, as the variant was detected in 11 countries within a few days. However, there is no scientific evidence yet that the frequency is increasing.
Due to the increasing number of cases, the Federal Commission on Vaccination Issues adjusted its vaccine recommendations two weeks ago. For this reason, it is recommended that “particularly vulnerable people” (i.e. retirees and people with chronic diseases aged 16 and over) get vaccinated.
Current vaccines in the approval process at Swissmedic also work against “Eris”. (dzc)
Source : Blick
I am Dawid Malan, a news reporter for 24 Instant News. I specialize in celebrity and entertainment news, writing stories that capture the attention of readers from all walks of life. My work has been featured in some of the world’s leading publications and I am passionate about delivering quality content to my readers.
