Why has there been a global surge of new Covid variant NB.1.8.1?
What is behind the global spread of new Covid strain NB.1.8.1?
- A new Covid variant, NB.1.8.1, derived from Omicron, is spreading globally, with a surge of cases reported in India and detections in Asian countries, the UK, the US, and Australia.
- The WHO has classified NB.1.8.1 as a “variant under monitoring” due to its potential impact on virus behaviour; by late April, it comprised 10.7 per cent of global sequences, up from 2.5 per cent a month prior.
- Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice, said the WHO assessed the additional risk to the global public as currently low.
- Existing Covid-19 vaccines are considered effective in preventing severe disease, though it appears more transmissible than previous variants.
- Common symptoms of the NB.1.8.1 variant include a severe sore throat, fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches, and congestion; some patients have also reported gastrointestinal symptoms.