New Covid-19 variant: No significant jump in cases in last two months

The SARS-CoV-2 variant EG.5.1 (alias XBB.1.9.2.5.1) is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant XBB.1.9.2. It has two additional spike mutations (Q52H, F456L) compared to its parent strain lineage. It has been detected in 39 countries and 38 US states, said Dr Karyakarte. “ERIS is not an official term but used for simplicity. The variant EG.5.1. is a descendent of the XBB variant and seems to have some growth advantage contributing to increase in proportion of SARS-COV-2 infections in most regions of the world,” added Dr Sanjay Pujari, Director, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Pune.

Globally, the EG.5.1 variant was found as early as March 24, 2023. In India, the first and the only case of EG.5.1 was reported on May 29, 2023 from Maharashtra. Dr Karyakarte, who is the state coordinator for genome sequencing, and his team were able to pick up this Covid variant from among Covid-positive RT-PCR- samples that are genome-sequenced at their lab in B J Government Medical College. It was identified and duly reported to all concerned authorities in Maharashtra and the Centre.

“So far, there does not seem to be any evidence that the Omicron EG.5.1 causes more severe disease or increases the risk of hospitalisation or death compared to other variants,” Dr Karyakarte said, adding that teams were monitoring any increase in hospital admissions. “It seems to be more transmissible but at this stage, this variant doesn’t seem to cause higher rates of severe illness among vaccinated individuals. However, a higher number of cases could lead to a longer list of long-Covid cases,” Dr Pujari pointed out.

Scientists at the National Institute of Virology have already enhanced genome sequencing. Dr Karyakarte, too, said that they were actively sequencing all RT-PCR positive samples, irrespective of their CT value, and are monitoring new mutations and variants. “In case there is an increase in cases, we have protocols in place and we are prepared to enhance our sequencing activity as needed,” he said.

Over 2,000 cases of H1N1, H3N2

According to Maharashtra joint director of health, Dr Pratapsinh Sarnikar, at present the dominant variant of Covid is XBB.1.16. Till August 8, there were 93 active cases of Covid in Maharashtra. Meanwhile till August 8, a total of 2,045 cases of H1N1 and H3N2 were reported in Maharashtra. There were 13 deaths — seven due to H1N1 and six due to Influenza. Dr Sarnikar also pointed out that district health officers, civil surgeons and medical health officers were instructed to undertake regular surveillance of Covid-19/influenza cases. Influenza A has various subtypes H1N1, H2N2 and H3N2 and this year from January till date there were a total of 9.22 lakh suspected cases of influenza who had symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, and so on. A total of 6580 suspected patients were given oseltamivir, according to a state health department bulletin. When contacted Dr Amit Dravid, infectious diseases expert, said that they were seeing a bouquet of infections presently and appealed to people suffering from respiratory illness and with co morbid conditions not to neglect their symptoms and avail of medical treatment.