US Detects Cases Of New Covid Variant Linked To Surge In China
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CDC informed that the variant has been found through airport surveillance testing at major entry points, including California, Washington State, Virginia, and New York City.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday confirmed the presence of NB.1.8.1, a highly contagious COVID-19 variant in the United States. Notably, the variant has driven a surge in hospitalisations across China.
According to reports, the strain was first detected in international travelers arriving at US airports between late March and early April.
CDC informed that the variant has been found through airport surveillance testing at major entry points, including California, Washington State, Virginia, and New York City. Meanwhile, New York Post reported that additional cases have been confirmed in Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii.
Health authorities in the US are now closely monitoring the variant, which is now dominant in China and is on the rise in parts of Asia.
Meanwhile, studies have showed that NB.1.8.1– which is part of the JN.1 group of variants– is easy to spread in comparison to other variants, it does not cause severe illness. In fact, several vaccines are also available in the market to target it.
advetisement
NB.1.8.1 Variant Surge In China
China recently reported a surge in COVID-19 cases linked to the NB.1.8.1 variant. While China is already facing rise in emergency room visits and hospital admissions across the country, Hong Kong authorities have reported the worst COVID surge in at least a year.
Commonly reported symptoms of the variant include respiratory issues such as cough and sore throat, as well as systemic effects like fever and fatigue.
Despite the latest variant displaying high transmissibility, the Trump administration is planning to limit booster vaccine access to some groups.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is planning to limit booster vaccine access to some groups, despite the latest variant displaying high transmissibility. The US administration has stopped recommending routine COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children and pregnant women. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr., along with FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, announced that the shots have been removed from the CDC's recommended immunization schedule.
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First Published:
May 28, 2025, 07:19 IST
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