New Covid-19 EG.5 variant circulating in Costa Rica

San Jose, Aug 16 (Prensa Latina) A total of 10 Costa Ricans were detected with the new variant EG.5, of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19, of greater transmissibility and potential to evade antibodies generated by vaccines, local media reported today.

August 16, 2023
15:31

Data from the Costa Rican Institute of Nutrition and Health Research and Education indicate that the cases were identified since the 18th epidemiological week of this year.

They were detected in the province of Puntarenas: the district of Palmar, Puerto Cortés, Guaycará and Corredores, Piedras Blancas, Bahía Ballena, Canoas and Barranca, as well as in San Isidro del General in San José.

This variant was considered of concern by the World Health Organization. However, there is no evidence so far that it is more aggressive or lethal.

We did not detect a change in the severity of EG.5 compared to other Omicron sublineages that were in circulation since late 2021, said Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical manager on Covid-19.

ef/abo/jcm/alb