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THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION HAS SAID THE NEW VARIANT NB.1.8.1 IS NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF ALL COVID CASES, WITH THE STRAIN ALREADY THE DOMINANT ONE IN HONG KONG AND

CHINA NEIL JAMES SHAW and NEIL SHAW 13:08, 30 May 2025 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning regarding a surge in Covid cases, attributing more than 10 per cent of all

infections to a new variant. The strain, known as NB. 1.8. 1, has been classified by the WHO as a 'variant under monitoring' due to concerns over the sharp increase in cases. By

the end of April 2025, approximately 10.7% of all submitted sequences were identified as NB. 1.8.1 – a significant rise from just 2.5% four weeks prior. It has already become the dominant

strain in Hong Kong and China. Lara Herrero, Associate Professor and Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease at Griffith University, suggested that due to multiple mutations, this

new strain 'may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains', reports Devon Live. The variant has been detected in several countries, including Australia, the US and

potentially the UK. However, it's important to note that the WHO has not yet found any evidence suggesting it causes more severe disease compared to other variants. Reports indicate

that symptoms of NB. 1.8. 1 should be similar to those of other Omicron subvariants. Typical symptoms include a sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion.

Some individuals may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms. A report from the WHO states: " SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, and between January and May 2025, there were shifts in

global SARS-CoV-2 variant dynamics. At the beginning of the year, the most prevalent variant tracked by WHO at the global level was XEC, followed by KP.3.1.1. In February, circulation of XEC

began to decline while that of LP.8.1 increased, with the latter becoming the most detected variant in mid-March. Since mid-April, the circulation of LP.8.1 has been slightly declining as

NB.1.8.1 is increasingly being detected." Article continues below The new strain is being discovered in large quantities in the Eastern Mediterranean, a region encompassing the popular

holiday spot of Egypt. It's also being identified in South East Asia - including Thailand and the Maldives. The WHO has noted recent surges have also been observed in Cambodia, China,

Hong Kong and Singapore. The report continues: " WHO recommends that countries remain vigilant, adapt to evolving epidemiological trends, and leverage COVID-19 management strategies to

strengthen systems for all respiratory disease threats. Member States should continue offering COVID-19 vaccines in line with WHO recommendations. Based on the current risk assessment of

this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or trade restrictions."