ASAHI




 

A new variant of the novel coronavirus called EG.5 is spreading in Japan, with experts expecting it to be the dominant strain in the country by mid-September.

Though there is no evidence that EG.5 causes more severe symptoms than other sub-variants of the Omicron strain, experts say the new variant may more easily evade the immune system.

EG.5, also called Eris after a goddess in Greek mythology, was first reported in February and designated as a “variant of interest” by the World Health Organization in August.

COVID-19 cases in Japan are gradually rising, with EG.5 spreading within the country since around July, according to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

A new branch of EG.5 called EG.5.1 made up 29 percent of 200 COVID-19 cases recorded in the week from Aug. 7 to 13. The figure is expected to jump to 58 percent in the week that started on Sept. 11. 

In Tokyo, the first domestic case of yet another spinoff of the Omicron variant was reported.

The new variant, called BA.2.86, was detected from a hospital test in late August, the Tokyo metropolitan government announced on Sept. 7.

An offshoot of the BA.2 variant, which was a globally dominant variant in 2022, the new variant has more than 30 mutations on the spike protein compared to its original lineage.

There is no evidence so far that BA.2.86 causes more severe symptoms. However, the new variant may be capable of evading antibody immunity created after vaccination and infection.

The WHO named the variant a “variant under monitoring” on Aug. 24.
In response to these emerging variants, the health ministry has approved a new vaccine targeting XBB, a subvariant of the Omicron strain that includes EG.5 and BA.2.86.

The vaccine, developed by Moderna Inc., will be administered from Sept. 20 along with a previously approved booster made by Pfizer Inc.