New COVID strain Eris is on the rise - here's what you need to know

In some areas there has been a more than 100 per cent increase in COVID-19 cases as a new variant takes hold – and it's likely in Australia.

Do parents need to worry? Image: iStock

A new variant of COVID-19 is spreading in nations as distant as India, the UK and US and in some areas has led to a 100 per cent surge in cases.

And it’s almost certainly circulating in Australia too.

The World Health Organsiation (WHO) began monitoring the EG.5.1. variant, derived from Omicron, on July 19.

It’s been dubbed “Eris” after the Greek god of strife and discord.

Its spread has been put down to waning immunity, bad weather in Britain sending people indoors, summer holidays and even large numbers of cinema goers congregating to watch blockbuster hits Barbie and Oppenheimer.

Hospitalisations have increased in some countries in recent weeks but health officials have said the rise remains “extremely low” and the symptoms are similar to Omicron.

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A new COVID strain, Eris, is on the rise. Image: iStock

Indian health officials have said EG.5.1 was first detected in May in India, in the Maharashtra state, which includes Mumbai.

Newspaper The Times of India said that after a “long lull” cases had started to rise again. Although since May, Maharashtra’s co-ordinator for genome sequencing Dr Rajesh Karyakarte said Eris hadn’t been able to “dominate” and earlier strains were still fuelling cases.

“But it will be prudent to keep a close watch on hospital admissions,” he said.

However, in the UK, the Eris variant is thought to be partly responsible for a fresh surge. It’s now the second most prevalent strain and accounts for one in 10 cases.

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100 per cent plus rise in cases

In Devon, in England’s south west, COVID-19 cases were up 104 per cent in the week to July 29. Surrey, south of London, saw a 103 per cent rise and Derbyshire, in England’s east midlands, saw cases increase by 121 per cent. Overall cases rose 28 per cent in England in the week to 29 July.

Nonetheless, the total number of cases was still far lower than at the pandemic’s peak.

In the United States, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said cases were going up, for the first time in months, reported CBS News.

In the first week of August, Eris made up 17.3 per cent of cases nationally, more than any other strain. That was up from 7.5 per cent of cases in the first week of July.

Likely in Australia already

The strain is likely already in Australia, infectious diseases academic at the University of Queensland Professor Paul Griffin told SBS, but lower levels of testing meant it hadn’t been detected.

“It has certainly increased, with an estimate that it has perhaps doubled in prevalence in the last four weeks or so globally from nearly six to twelve per cent (of cases)”.

A number of COVID watchers have said they doubted cinema attendance is a major factor in the spread with over 75s the main demographic catching Eris and the dates of the film’s release and the subsequent uptick in cases not aligning.

Do parents need to worry? Image: iStock

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‘Starting another wave’

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said Eris monitoring began on July 3 due to increased reports internationally.

Christian Pagel, a mathematician at University College London who is part of the UK’s independent SAGE group of scientists who have been offering policy advice on COVID-19, told website The Independent that Eris and other strains were “definitely starting another wave”.

“It is likely to be dominant by September when kids return to school and adults to work or university, plus we start spending much more time inside,” she said.

Ms Pagel added that many people were now more than 18 months from their last booster shot.

However, the Eris strain is not thought to be any more serious that other types currently in circulation.

Its symptoms are similar to Omicron which include a runny or bunged up nose, sore throat, a change in the sense of smell and fatigue among other indicators.

If people test positive they should follow the same instructions as with other COVID-19 infections which is to remain at home, wash regularly and wear am ask around others.

Head of the department of primary care and public health at London’s Imperial College Professor Azeem Majeed said the public shouldn’t fret about Eris.

Originally published as New COVID strain Eris is on the rise - here's what you need to know