Is China suppressing the spread of COVID variant NB.1.8.1? Virus is spreading - here's what Americans should do
A new COVID variant, NB.1.8.1, linked to a major surge in China, has been detected in the United States. The virus is believed to have arrived via international travelers, according to airport screenings and state reports.
Experts are concerned, but the United States is currently experiencing low overall case numbers. It has been detected in several states, and while it is not yet widespread, it may become more contagious.
Authorities say it's too early to panic, but they recommend taking precautions as new vaccines targeting related strains are being developed.
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Records submitted by the CDC's airport testing partner Ginkgo Bioworks show that cases associated with the NB.1.8.1 variant have been reported in arriving international travellers at airports in California, Washington state, Virginia, and the New York City area, as quoted in a report by CBS News.
Is China downplaying its COVID surge?
Information regarding the sequencing results, which were made public on the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data, or GISAID, virus database in recent weeks, indicates that travelers from a variety of nations, including China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, France, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, and Vietnam, are responsible for the cases.
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The variant, which is currently prevalent in China and is becoming more prevalent in other parts of Asia, has been the subject of intense scrutiny from experts.
A CDC spokesperson said in a statement, "CDC is in regular contact with international partners and is aware of reported cases of COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 in China."
The agency's variant estimates dashboard does not currently include enough reported U.S. sequences of NB.1.8.1.
As the number of cases has increased, Hong Kong officials have begun to advise residents to wear masks in crowded areas and on public transit, despite their claims that there is no evidence that the variant, which is a descendant of the virus's XDV lineage, is more serious.
Taiwanese health officials have also noted an increase in ER visits, serious illnesses, and fatalities. In reaction to the outbreak, local health officials say they are accumulating vaccines and antiviral medications.
Will current vaccines protect against Covid variant NB.1.8.1?
Americans are urged not to panic but remain vigilant and alert. With the number of cases remaining low nationally, health officials recommend reverting to simple precautions, particularly in crowded or confined areas. Wearing masks while using public transportation or during travel is an easy step to take to minimize risk.
The need to update COVID-19 vaccines for the upcoming fall and winter seasons was discussed by outside vaccine advisers to the Food and Drug Administration.
Last season's vaccines targeted a JN.1 descendant known as KP.2. According to preliminary data provided by
Pfizer
and Moderna, switching to a different JN.1 descendant known as LP.8.1 may increase protection against NB.1.8.1.
Despite disagreements over specifics, the committee unanimously supported the recommendation that vaccines for the upcoming season target some form of JN.1 variant.
While some advocated for the update to focus on the LP.8.1 descendant of JN.1 that Pfizer and Moderna have prototyped, others supported letting vaccine manufacturers continue using the vaccines from the previous season.
FAQs
Is there an NB.1.8.1 COVID variant in the United States?
Yes, it has been detected in travelers and reported in several states, including California, Ohio, and New York.
Should I be concerned about NB.1.8.1?
Not yet, the variant isn't more severe, but it may spread more easily. Stay informed and consider vaccine options this autumn.
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