SARS-CoV-2 Eris variant spreads faster and dodges immunity

Study investigates the characteristics of the EG.5.1 “Eris” variant of SARS-CoV-2, finding it more transmissible among hamsters and slightly better at evading immunity compared to the XBB.1.5 variant. The results suggest that these properties could be driving the variant’s increasing prevalence in human populations.