(CNN) — There’s a new coronavirus variant topping U. S. ratings: EG. 5.
Nationally, EG. 5 is to blame for about 17% of new COVID-19 cases in the country, to 16% of the next non-unusual peak lineage, XBB. 1. 16, according to the most recent estimates from the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. UU.
EG might appear as a totally new flavor of the virus, but it’s not; is a derivative of the recombinant XBB strain of the Omicron family. And this represents another slow adjustment of the virus than a primary evolutionary leap like the original Omicron strain.
Compared to its parent XBB. 1. 9. 2, it has an additional mutation at its peak, at position 465. This mutation has already given the impression in other coronavirus variants. Scientists don’t know precisely what new tricks the virus allows it to do. however, variant hunters are paying attention because many new descendants of XBB have followed it.
The 465 mutation is provided in about 35% of coronavirus sequences reported worldwide, adding one whose prevalence is expanding in the Northeast, FL. 1. 5. 1, suggesting that it confers some sort of evolutionary merit over earlier versions.
EG. 5 now has its own branch, EG. 5. 1, which adds a momentary mutation to the beak. It is also spreading rapidly.
Dr. David Ho tested those variants in his lab at Columbia University to see how resistant they are to the antibodies we want to protect against.
“Both are only more resistant to neutralizing antibodies in the serum of inflamed and vaccinated people,” Ho, a professor of microbiology and immunology, said in an email to CNN.
Clinically, he said, those variants don’t appear to cause symptoms different from or more severe than the viruses that preceded them.
“It has more immune evasion compared to previous ones in this XBB series,” said Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist at The Scripps Translational Research Institute. “He has an advantage, that’s why he’s going around the world. “
Beyond the US, EG. 5 is expanding in Ireland, France, UK, Japan and China. The World Health Organization recently added it to its list of variants under surveillance.
The variant has become the most prevalent in the United States, as cases, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations are increasing, there is no evidence that this express strain is to blame for those increases.
Instead, the human habit of epidemiologists is driving this increase. They point to things like record heat pushing more insiders to have air conditioning, which promotes the spread of the virus. Summer travel sends other people out of their general social circles, bringing viruses to new victims. School is also resuming categories in many parts of the country and, as parents know, homework is rarely the only thing children bring from their class.
Still, there’s reason to hope this wave of cases won’t be that severe, says Dr. Brown. Anne Hahn, postdoctoral associate in the Department of Microbial Disease Epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health.
“We are starting from a very low baseline in combination with upper population immunity, which would oppose strong accumulation in the short term. However, it remains to be seen what those new variants will do in the winter,” he said.
Virus levels detected in wastewater in August are roughly where they were in March, according to data from Biobot Analytics.
“I would expect there to be widespread infections, and I would expect those widespread infections to be mild,” said Dr. Dan Barouch, an immunologist and virologist at Harvard University in Boston.
“People with the highest threat of severe illness obviously want to continue to take precautions. “
Topol says this fall’s updated Covid-19 booster, which will target the opposite XBB variant, will be very close to the variants in circulation lately, adding EG. 5, and hopes it will provide robust coverage, if regulators can give it to others in time.
Vaccine makers have said they expect updated vaccines to be ready in a few weeks, but CDC Director Dr. Anna S. Simpson has said they will be able to say that the updated vaccines will be ready in a few weeks. Mandy Cohen has predicted that the updated vaccine will be available in October because it will have to be approved. through the U. S. Food and Drug AdministrationA recommendation from the U. S. Department of Health and Drug Administration.
It would be a full month later than expected last fall.
“Why does it take so long?” Topol said. ” The whole concept of mRNA is that it can rotate temporarily and within a few months it would be ready. “
Topol said the vaccine is especially important for other seniors and others with weakened immune systems because they no longer have effective monoclonal antibodies if a case of covid-19 becomes severe.
It’s unclear why the procedure appears to be slower than last year. The FDA did not immediately respond to a question about its fall vaccine review schedule.
Topol says it can EE. UU. no delay the rollout of its covid-19 vaccine. Behind EG. 5, there are a multitude of variants with changes that allow them to bind more tightly to cells, he says, making them even more infectious. .
He fears that those have to be more substantial.
“Let it come out now, because things are piling up,” he said. “We want it now. “