New Omicron subvariants detected in Rio by university's sequencing
Genetic sequencing conducted by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) revealed a range of Omicron subvariants of the new coronavirus in circulation in Rio de Janeiro since February this year.
According to a statement released on Thursday (Aug. 31) by the university, they identified the new EG.5.1.1 (23F) strain, referred to as Eris, in two of the 95 samples sequenced earlier this month. Eris has been associated with a potential increase in COVID-19 cases in some countries.
The sequencing was performed by the Genomics Unit of UFRJ's Molecular Virology Laboratory, which collected samples from COVID-19-positive patients between February and August this year.
Eris Variant
The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro reported that the two samples in which the Eris variant was detected were collected on August 10 and 11, from two members of the same family who experienced fever and respiratory symptoms sequentially, approximately one week after returning from Chapada dos Veadeiros, in the state of Goiás, in the central-western region of Brazil. Symptoms initially appeared in one of them, with a brief cold, four days after their return from the trip.
"The recent return history from a location with a high concentration of international tourists from various origins and the quick onset of illness suggested the possibility of an 'imported' infection followed by transmission within the household," noted UFRJ in its statement.
Despite these findings indicating the introduction of the Eris variant to Rio de Janeiro, the university states that it could not confirm local transmission driven by this variant at that time.
Local Transmission
On Wednesday (30), Rio's Municipal Health Department confirmed local transmission of the Omicron Eris subvariant in the city, as attested by the genetic sequencing laboratory of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz). The case involves a 46-year-old male patient with mild symptoms, who remained in home isolation and is now asymptomatic. He had no recent travel history, indicating local transmission of this strain.
The department emphasized that the city of Rio has achieved a high vaccination coverage, reaching 98 percent for the initial vaccination series, which includes the first and second doses. However, it highlights the importance of receiving booster doses as protection diminishes over time, making this additional dose essential.
