A new variant of Covid-19 - designated EG.5 and named Eris - has been detected in Ireland, according to the Health Service Executive.
The variant is a descendant of Omicron. The World Health Organization has not designated EG.5 as a variant of concern or a variant of interest, but the lesser rating as a variant under monitoring (VUM).
The HSE said that Eris is more transmissible than previous circulating variants and has been associated with outbreaks, including in hospitals in Ireland and elsewhere.
It said there is currently no evidence of increased clinical severity of infection here with this strain. Eris has become established in the UK and the US.