India has recently seen a rise in Covid cases as the new variant, NB.1.8.1, spreads around the world. Reports indicate that countries in Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, and China, are also experiencing an uptick in infections. Last week, England recorded its first 13 cases of this variant, according to the UK Health Security Agency.
However, the actual numbers could be significantly underestimated. Many people are no longer testing as frequently as they did during the height of the pandemic five years ago.
What do we know about the variant NB.1.8.1?
The NB.1.8.1 variant, which originated from Omicron, was first identified in January. It has quickly spread in China and Hong Kong, and is now present in multiple states across the United States and Australia. By late April, it accounted for about 10.7 percent of globally submitted sequences, up from 2.5 percent a month earlier. On May 23, the World Health Organization classified NB.1.8.1 as a “variant under monitoring,” suggesting that it may influence the virus’s behavior.
Why has there been a surge in new cases?
Lara Herrero, a virologist from Griffith University in Australia, raises concerns that NB.1.8.1 may be more easily transmissible than previous variants. “In lab studies, researchers have found that NB.1.8.1 binds more effectively to the human ACE2 receptor, which could mean it infects cells more efficiently,” she noted recently in an article.
Dr. Chun Tang, a GP at Pall Mall Medical in the UK, states that while NB.1.8.1 is similar to the Omicron variant, minor modifications to its spike protein might enhance its ability to spread or evade some existing immunity. He adds that early indications suggest it does not lead to more serious illnesses, but ongoing research is necessary.
Dr. Naveed Asif, also a GP, mentioned that this variant has been identified in around 22 countries. The WHO currently assesses the additional risk to global health as low, and existing Covid-19 vaccines are thought to be effective against severe cases.
That said, the so-called “Nimbus” variant appears to be spreading more rapidly, particularly in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms associated with Nimbus include a severe sore throat, fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches, and congestion. Some patients have also reported gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and diarrhea. Experts emphasize that there is no evidence indicating that this strain is more deadly than previous variants, and current vaccines are expected to provide protection against severe illness for those who become infected.
