New Covid variant NB.1.8.1 detected at US airports amid rise in cases. Check for symptoms and preventive measures
A new
Covid
variant,
NB.1.8.1
has been detected in multiple international travelers arriving at major US airports, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Covid variant is believed to be driving a surge in cases across China and parts of Asia, according to a report in CBS News.
The CDC's airport screening program has detected multiple cases of the new COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1, which has been linked to a large surge of the virus in China.
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New Covid variant NB.1.8.1 found at US airports
Cases of the NB.1.8.1 variant have been identified among international travelers arriving at airports in California, Washington state, Virginia, and the New York City area, according to data from Ginkgo Bioworks, the CDC's airport testing partner.Sequencing results recently published on GISAID—the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data—reveal that the cases originated from travelers coming from several countries, including Japan, South Korea, France, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, Vietnam, China, and Taiwan. The testing was conducted between April 22 and May 12, according to the records.
In addition to being detected through airport screenings, the NB.1.8.1 COVID-19 subvariant has been reported in the community by health officials in Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. The earliest cases in the U.S. date back to late March and early April.
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Although NB.1.8.1 has not yet become widespread in the United States, experts are closely monitoring it. This subvariant, part of the JN.1 lineage, has become dominant in China. Health authorities in Hong Kong and Taiwan have reported rising hospitalizations and emergency room visits, prompting renewed calls for public masking and efforts to stockpile vaccines and antiviral medications.
Preliminary studies suggest NB.1.8.1 does not significantly outperform other circulating strains in immune evasion. However, it may bind more effectively to human cells, potentially increasing its transmissibility.
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The variant was a key topic at a recent meeting of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) vaccine advisory panel. Moderna and Pfizer presented early findings indicating that updated vaccines targeting LP.8.1—a JN.1 descendant now dominant in the U.S.—may also protect against NB.1.8.1. The panel unanimously recommended updating COVID-19 vaccines for the upcoming fall and winter to target a JN.1-based variant. However, there was debate about whether to use the newer LP.8.1 or retain the previous season's formula.
While nationwide COVID-19 levels remain low, FDA officials warned that viral evolution remains unpredictable. 'Although one can't predict evolution... the overwhelming odds are that what predominates in the next few months will come from something that's circulating now,' said Dr. Jerry Weir, director of the FDA's Division of Viral Products.
Dr. Natalie Thornburg of the CDC echoed the cautious outlook, noting that while this past winter did not see a major variant shift, the situation could change. 'We didn't see a major strain replacement this past winter, but that doesn't mean it won't happen soon,' she said, adding that the virus appears to be settling into a seasonal pattern, with peaks typically in summer and winter.
For now, U.S. health officials are maintaining close coordination with international partners and continuing rigorous surveillance as new variants emerge.
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New Covid variant in US
As of May 2025, a new COVID-19 variant named NB.1.8.1, a descendant of the Omicron sublineage JN.1, has been identified as a contributing factor to recent increases in COVID-19 cases across Asia and has also been detected in the United States. First identified in China, NB.1.8.1 has rapidly become the dominant strain there, leading to significant increases in COVID-19 cases. Its presence has also been confirmed in other parts of Asia, including Singapore and Hong Kong, and more recently, in the United States through airport screening programs.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated NB.1.8.1 as a SARS-CoV-2 Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) due to its increasing global prevalence. This variant is derived from the recombinant variant XDV.1.5.1, with the earliest sample collected on January 22, 2025. It was officially classified as a VUM on May 23, 2025.
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Symptoms of NB.1.8.1
The symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are largely consistent with those of previous Omicron variants. Commonly reported symptoms include: sore throat, fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches and congestion. In some cases, individuals have experienced persistent low-grade hyperthermia, a condition where the body temperature is elevated beyond normal due to failed thermoregulation, differing from typical fever. Other reported symptoms include headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, and gastrointestinal issues.
Transmissibility and Spread
NB.1.8.1 has demonstrated a higher transmissibility rate compared to some earlier variants. Preliminary data suggest that this variant has an enhanced ability to bind to human cells, potentially leading to increased infection rates. The variant has been detected in travelers arriving at major U.S. airports, including those in California, Washington, Virginia, and New York. Its spread underscores the importance of continued surveillance and public health measures.
Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalizations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation.
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Preventive Measures
To protect yourself and others:
Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots.
Wear masks in crowded or enclosed spaces.
Practice good hand hygiene.
Monitor for symptoms and get tested if you feel unwell.
Follow local health guidelines and advisories
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