COVID-19 remains a persistent public health threat
COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Afghanistan: Credit: WHO/Zakarya Safari
7 September 2023, Cairo, Egypt – WHO recently designated the Omicron EG.5 lineage as a “variant of interest” and listed other closely monitored variants. It serves as a stark reminder that COVID-19 poses an enduring threat to public health.
Within the Region, 4 countries that share COVID-19-specific reports have detected the EG.5 variant. Other countries have begun to integrate COVID-19 reporting as part of respiratory disease surveillance systems. Vigilance in monitoring the situation remains paramount while this process takes place to transition COVID-19 surveillance from an emergency response to long-term disease prevention, control and management.
The public health risk posed by EG.5 is currently deemed low. The variant has, however, shown increased prevalence, a growth advantage and the ability to evade the immune response. It therefore has the potential to become the dominant variant in the near future.
Consistent and comprehensive action must continue
WHO continues to emphasize the need for enhanced surveillance, sequencing and the comprehensive reporting of SARS-CoV-2 variants, along with clinical management, as the virus continues to evolve.
To effectively combat COVID-19 and prevent further mutations, countries are urged to:
reinforce early warning systems
ensure robust surveillance
vigilantly track variants
provide timely clinical care
administer vaccine boosters to high-risk populations
improve ventilation systems
communicate public health risks.
WHO’s general recommendations for respiratory hygiene remain consistent. Get vaccinated in line with WHO guidance on vaccination. Stay at least