Another new coronavirus variant, named EG.5, is spreading fast in Japan, though experts say there is little evidence so far that it causes more severe symptoms compared with previous strains that also belong to the omicron family.
EG.5, a mutated version of omicron subvariant XBB.1.9.2, was first discovered in February and has been reported in 51 countries, including the U.S., South Korea, China, Australia, Singapore and Britain, according to the World Health Organization.
Last week, the WHO designated EG.5 and its sublineages as “a variant of interest,” upgrading them from the “variant under monitoring” label it gave in July.