logo
New COVID variant not detected in Egypt: Health official - Health

New COVID variant not detected in Egypt: Health official - Health

Al-Ahram Weekly14-07-2025
The new coronavirus variant NB.1.8.1, also known as Nimbus and currently under monitoring by the World Health Organization (WHO), has not been detected in Egypt, according to a senior health official.
'All surveillance methods have confirmed that the virus has not entered Egypt,' said Hossam Hosni, head of the Health Ministry's Scientific Committee to Combat Coronavirus, in a televised interview on Al-Nahar TV Monday evening.
Hosni described the variant as highly contagious due to its ability to evade immunity from previous infections or vaccinations. 'This variant has been able to develop itself and challenge the immunity acquired through previous infections or vaccinations,' he said.
While the symptoms resemble those of a severe cold—fever, body aches, weakness, sore throat, red eyes, and some gastrointestinal effects—Hosni stressed that cases linked to the variant are generally not fatal.
He noted that treatment continues to rely on standard medications. Antibiotics and antivirals are typically reserved for high-risk groups, including the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and patients with chronic illnesses.
The variant has been linked to a summer resurgence of COVID-19 cases in several countries, including China and the United States.
In May, the WHO designated NB.1.8.1 as a 'variant under monitoring' and assessed its additional public health risk as low.
COVID-19 caused significant disruption in Egypt in 2020 and 2021 before subsiding in 2022. The WHO ended its pandemic emergency designation in May 2023, shifting global focus toward managing COVID-19 alongside other respiratory viruses.
Egypt has recorded various coronavirus mutations in recent years, though few led to critical illness, according to health officials.
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link:
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Up to 100 people killed and 382 injured in Gaza in a single day: Gaza Health Ministry
Up to 100 people killed and 382 injured in Gaza in a single day: Gaza Health Ministry

Egypt Independent

time8 hours ago

  • Egypt Independent

Up to 100 people killed and 382 injured in Gaza in a single day: Gaza Health Ministry

The Gaza Strip's Health Ministry announced on Monday that up to 100 people were killed and over 382 were injured in the past 24 hours due to ongoing strikes by Israel. The Safa Press Agency reported that there are victims remain under the rubble and on the streets, with ambulance and civil defense crews still unable to reach them due to the ongoing Israeli bombardment and the danger posed by the targeted areas. Fourteen new deaths due to starvation were recorded over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths resulting from the famine to 147, including 88 children. This brings the death toll from Israel's war on Gaza since October 7, 2023, to 59,921 dead and 145,233 injured. The number of killed and injured since March 18, 2025 alone has reached 8,755 dead and 33,192 injured. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

Ghana Reports 1st Mpox-Linked Death
Ghana Reports 1st Mpox-Linked Death

See - Sada Elbalad

timea day ago

  • See - Sada Elbalad

Ghana Reports 1st Mpox-Linked Death

Rana Atef On Monday, Ghanaian health authorities have announced the country's first death of monkeypox, known as "Mpox," amid a sharp surge in new infections. According to the 'Radio Africa' website on Monday, 23 new cases were confirmed last week, bringing the total number of new infections to 257 since the virus was first detected in Ghana in June 2022, marking the highest weekly increase recorded so far. Guinea's Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, stated that "the situation is under control," adding that "early detection and responsible behavior are the only solutions to curb this outbreak." Ghana's Ministry of Public Health is preparing to receive vaccines from the World Health Organization (WHO) this week. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, an official at the Ministry, noted that "we have identified the at-risk groups and are ready to launch vaccination campaigns as soon as the doses arrive." Earlier in June, the World Health Organization declared it was on high alert regarding the spread of the 'Mpox' virus, which primarily affects Africa, and called for 'continued international support.' read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence"

WHO Recognizes Egypt as Global Leader in Hepatitis C Elimination
WHO Recognizes Egypt as Global Leader in Hepatitis C Elimination

See - Sada Elbalad

timea day ago

  • See - Sada Elbalad

WHO Recognizes Egypt as Global Leader in Hepatitis C Elimination

H-Tayea Egypt has become the first country in the world to achieve the gold level certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) in its path toward the elimination of Hepatitis C, marking a historic global health milestone. This recognition, officially granted in 2023, highlights Egypt's unparalleled national efforts to tackle a disease that has long been a major public health burden. The achievement was made possible through the ambitious 100 Million Health presidential initiative, one of the largest public health campaigns of its kind, which resulted in over 60 million people being screened for Hepatitis C across the country. More than 4.3 million patients received free treatment, helping reduce liver disease and prevent future complications, including liver cancer. According to WHO, Egypt now accounts for 70 percent of all Hepatitis C treatments in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and 35 percent of all treatments delivered worldwide. Since 2018, Egypt has managed to reduce hepatitis-related deaths by 35 percent, proving that with strong political will and strategic healthcare policies, eliminating a major disease is achievable. On World Hepatitis Day, observed annually on July 28, WHO emphasized that Hepatitis remains a serious health challenge in many parts of the world, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean Region where 27 million people are infected and nearly 97,000 people die each year from preventable hepatitis-related complications. This year's global theme, 'Simple Steps to Eliminate Hepatitis,' encourages urgent action to expand access to prevention, testing, and treatment. It also calls for removing the social, financial, and systemic barriers—including stigma—that prevent people from receiving care. In another major breakthrough, Egypt in December 2024 became the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to achieve control status for Hepatitis B, having reduced the virus's prevalence to below 5 percent among children aged 9 and older, while maintaining vaccination rates above 90 percent. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store