Health experts sound alarm over terrifying new Covid variant found in US. It's more dangerous than ever
The new Covid-19 mutation from China is "more transmissible," health experts have warned, as it makes its way into the United States
A new, highly contagious strain of Covid-19 that has driven a wave of hospitalisations across China has now surfaced in the United States and has sparked concerns among federal health officials. The variant, identified as NB.1.81, was first detected in the United States between late March and early April among international travelers arriving at airports in California, Washington State, Virginia, and New York. Since then, additional cases have been reported in Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The new Covid-19 mutation from China is "more transmissible," health experts have warned, as it makes its way into the United States. The development comes when US Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially removed the Covid vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women.
ALSO READ: Biden suffers big jolt as his longtime aide claims she's no longer a Democrat and makes shocking departureAccording to the Irish Star, the California Department of Public Health is sounding the alarm over the presence of this highly contagious variant. "In other words, it is more transmissible," stated Verma. Meanwhile, China has claimed that Covid-19 did not emerge in Wuhan and originated in the US.Health officials have noted that this particular strain first emerged in March and has seen a sharp increase since early May, according to The Express.
In California, its prevalence has jumped from just 2% in April to 19%, based on official data.This variant is considered more dangerous than earlier ones, with the potential to drive up infection rates and hospitalizations.ALSO READ: 'Wicked: For Good' trailer is coming to select theaters in US. Check time and other details
World Health Organization data shows that the strain now makes up over half of global cases, prompting California officials to push for the reinstatement of mask mandates.Still, the California Department of Public Health maintains that 'currently available vaccines are expected to remain effective.' Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing criticism for attempting to restrict vaccine access for healthy children and pregnant women.China is witnessing a surge in respiratory illnesses, with figures doubling from 3.3 to 6.3 percent, and emergency room patients testing positive for COVID have seen a significant increase.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not yet begun tracking the emerging NB.1.8.1 COVID-19 variant. Meanwhile, LP.8.1 remains the dominant strain in the United States, accounting for approximately 73% of current cases. Its symptoms closely mirror those of earlier variants, including fever, cough, chills, nausea, shortness of breath, congestion, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell.
ALSO READ: Trump's sweeping bill to cut taxes by $3.75 trillion but will burden millions of Americans. Check details The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified NB.1.8.1 as a 'variant under monitoring' due to its mutations and international spread. Although it has been identified in 22 countries, no travel restrictions have been imposed. The WHO maintains that existing COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective in preventing both symptomatic and severe illness caused by this variant, and currently assesses the global risk as low.
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A woman in Texas died after contracting a deadly brain infection from a microscopic amoeba in tap water used for a nasal rinse, U.S. health officials have 71-year-old was reportedly staying at a local campground and had used water from her RV's tap in a nasal irrigation device. Just four days later, she developed severe neurological symptoms and died within eight days of falling ill. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the infection as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by Naegleria fowleri — a rare but nearly always fatal amoeba.'This case reinforces the potential for serious health risks associated with improper use of nasal irrigation devices, as well as the importance of maintaining RV water quality and ensuring that municipal water systems adhere to regulatory standards,' the CDC fowleri is a single-celled organism that lives in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can also survive in poorly maintained swimming pools and untreated tap water. It is referred to as a "brain-eating amoeba" because, once it enters through the nose, it travels along the olfactory nerve into the brain, where it destroys brain its terrifying name, the amoeba is extremely rare. Between 1962 and 2023, only 164 cases were recorded in the U.S., with just four known Lundstrom, Chief Medical Officer and infectious disease expert at Trinity Health, told Fox News Digital, 'The risk of brain-eating amoeba is very low. Fewer than 10 people in the U.S. every year get infected — but unfortunately, most cases are fatal. There are only a handful of survivors of known cases.'The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report detailed that the woman had used a nasal irrigation device multiple times over four days. It was filled with unboiled tap water from the RV's internal plumbing. After symptoms such as fever, headache and altered mental status emerged, she was hospitalised and treated for a suspected PAM her condition rapidly worsened. She suffered seizures and died eight days after the symptoms began. Testing of her cerebrospinal fluid confirmed the presence of Naegleria the amoeba itself was not detected in the RV water supply, investigators found the system had not been adequately symptoms of PAM often appear within five days of exposure, though onset can range from one to 12 days. These include:As the infection advances, it can cause:'Early symptoms should prompt a medical evaluation, as they are also signs of bacterial meningitis,' said disease progresses swiftly. On average, death occurs five days after symptoms begin, but it can happen in as little as one day or as long as CDC advises that only sterile, distilled or previously boiled and cooled water should be used for nasal rinsing. Improperly treated water, especially from RVs or municipal systems lacking adequate disinfection, can pose a swimming, experts recommend keeping your head above water or using a nose clip. 'Infection occurs when water harbouring the amoeba goes up a person's nose, usually during swimming,' Lundstrom explained. 'It is not known why some people get infected and others, even swimming companions, do not.'Drinking contaminated water is not a risk factor, as the infection only occurs via nasal exposure. It also does not spread between the amoeba thrives in warm temperatures — typically over 30°C — and can survive in sediment, swimmers are advised not to disturb the bottom of lakes or fowleri has three life stages: cyst, trophozoite (the active stage), and flagellate. The active form can infect humans but under less favourable conditions, it reverts to a cyst and clings to surfaces in plumbing or grows best at temperatures up to 46°C and can survive briefly even in hotter conditions. Most infections occur in southern U.S. states, though cases are being reported further north — possibly linked to climate limit the spread, many southern utilities perform annual chlorine burns at the start of summer to flush out biofilms where the amoeba might options are limited due to the rapid progression and severity of PAM. Doctors typically use antifungal and antibiotic drugs, such as rifampin and azithromycin, alongside miltefosine, a newer antifungal that has shown some promise in lab Lundstrom cautioned, 'The effect of all of these drugs on actual infected people is unknown due to the high fatality rate.'Prompt diagnosis remains difficult because early symptoms resemble other, more common warmest months are when Naegleria fowleri is most active, especially in southern regions. Splash pads, lakes, and even backyard kiddie pools can become risky if water is left untreated or infections are rare, families are urged to take simple precautions. Use sterile water for nasal care. Be cautious in warm freshwater environments. And remember, the amoeba doesn't pose a risk in saltwater or from drinking.'Millions of people enjoy swimming every summer, but only a few become infected,' said Lundstrom. 'Awareness and prevention are your best tools.'
