Tunisia Reports First Case of New EG.5 Coronavirus Variant
A Tunisian official has reported the detection of Tunisia's inaugural case of the novel coronavirus variant EG.5.
The infection was found in an infant following genome sequencing at Charles Nicolle Hospital in the capital Tunis, the official news agency Tunis Afrique Presse reported on Tuesday, citing Hechmi Louzir, a member of Tunisia's Scientific Committee to Combat Coronavirus.
Newborn with Coronavirus Variant EG.5 Discharged in Tunisia, No Spread Reported
Louzir said the infant, in stable condition, has been discharged from the hospital, adding that no infections were reported among the hospital staff or the infant's family members, Xinhua news agency reported.‘The identification of Tunisia's first case of the novel coronavirus variant EG.5 has been reported. #coronavirus #EG.5’
He assured that the new coronavirus variant, which is less contagious, would not be a threat to public health compared to other variants that have significantly affected the country's healthcare system.
On August 9, the World Health Organisation designated it as a "variant of interest," but meanwhile noted that the variant poses a low risk to public health ().
Reference:
- 15 EG.5 Initial Risk Evaluation - (https:www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/09082023eg.5_ire_final.pdf?sfvrsn=2aa2daee_1)