Eris Variant Enters Turkey

According to official statements, the Eris variant has unfortunately entered our country. How will the Pirola and Eris variants, two important versions of COVID-19 that have recently been discussed due to mutations creating many different subtypes, affect our lives? Will we return to those old days of lockdowns with the Eris variant? And what are the symptoms of these two variants? Which age groups and conditions do they affect in particular? Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cengiz Özdemir, Chest Diseases Specialist at Liv Hospital, provided the answers.

Its structure continues to change

COVID-19 has been in our lives for almost four years now, and during this period, mutations that naturally occur in the virus have created many different subtypes. We know that these mutations will continue to occur and the virus's structure will continue to change. The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been the most commonly seen type in the world for a long time, and the mutations that occur are causing changes in this variant, leading to the emergence of new subtypes. While data on the Eris (EG.5) subtype in cases recently reported in the United States and Europe are increasing, the World Health Organization elevated this variant to the status of a "variant of concern." Although an increase in hospital admissions has been reported in countries where the Eris variant has been observed, there is no clear evidence that COVID-19 disease progresses more severely with this variant.

Pirola and Eris

While discussions regarding the Eris variant continue, the new COVID-19 variant BA.2.86, termed "Pirola," was recently identified. The World Health Organization reported that the Pirola variant has been detected in 6 countries so far. Despite an increase in the number of cases reported in Europe, the Americas, and Asia in recent months, the large case surges we experienced in the past have still not been observed. It is not possible to predict at this stage whether this new subtype will become the dominant strain.

The biggest concern regarding the Pirola variant

The question being asked is whether the disease progresses more severely in people infected with the Pirola variant, whether it is more contagious than other variants, and whether the virus escapes vaccine immunity. Studies conducted show that it is still too early to answer these questions and we do not have clear data. Studies conducted by China and Sweden reported that this variant may not be as dangerous as Omicron. Although there may be some increase in the possibility of the disease escaping vaccines, data continues to be reported indicating that vaccines may still be effective against this variant.

Transmissibility raises questions

While concerns have been raised that changes in the virus's structure as a result of mutations will lead to faster spread, there is no data confirming that this is happening. However, closely monitoring data regarding the Pirola variant will help provide answers to questions raised about whether this variant creates a change in the course of the disease and transmissibility. Statements made by manufacturers regarding vaccine effectiveness against the Pirola variant also report that vaccine effectiveness continues. In statements by the Ministry of Health in our country, it has been reported that as of today, among these two new variants, the Eris variant has been detected in 9 patients with foreign contacts. Given that the number of tests performed recently has been low, it can be considered that patients infected with new variants are more numerous than those detected. The information we have regarding both variants shows that they cause symptoms similar to classic respiratory tract infection findings such as sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, fever, and muscle pain, and that the course of the disease is not severe enough to cause concern. With the beginning of autumn and the opening of schools, an increase in the number of patients with COVID-19 infection is expected along with other respiratory tract infections. Compliance with hygiene rules and the use of masks in enclosed spaces remain important in protecting against the disease. Particularly groups of advanced age and those with comorbidities, whom we know have more severe disease, need to continue protection with vaccination in addition to these precautions.