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THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION HAS WARNED OVER A SURGE IN COVID CASES WITH THE NEW VARIANT NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN 10% OF ALL INFECTIONS IN CERTAIN COUNTRIES NEIL SHAW Assistant Editor

(Money and Lifestyle) and ANDY GILPIN Deputy Editor in Chief 10:24, 29 May 2025Updated 10:25, 29 May 2025 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning regarding a surge in Covid

cases, with a new variant now accounting for over 10% of all infections. The WHO has categorised the new strain NB.1.8. 1 as a 'variant under monitoring' due to concerns about the

sharp increase in cases. By the end of April 2025, NB.1.8.1 made up approximately 10.7% of all submitted sequences – a significant rise from just 2.5% four weeks before. It is already the

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

mutations, the new strain 'may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains'. The strain has been detected in multiple countries, including Australia, the US and possibly the

UK. Article continues below It's been stated: "But importantly, the WHO has not yet observed any evidence it causes more severe disease compared to other variants. Reports suggest

symptoms of NB.1.8.1 should align closely with other Omicron subvariants. "Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion.

Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases." A WHO report reads: "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." The new strain is being found in large numbers in the Eastern Mediterranean, an area including the tourist destination of Egypt. It is also being found

in South East Asia - including in Thailand and the Maldives. The WHO said recent increases have also been observed in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Article continues below The

report reads: " 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."