What is the new quick spreading Covid variant NB.1.8.1?
While NB.1.8.1 does not seem to cause more severe sickness, it is spreading more quickly than previous variations, according to Dr Amy Edwards of Case Western Reserve University, who spoke to CBS News. 'What they're seeing in China, Hong Kong, and elsewhere is a sharp uptick in hospitalisations', she stated.
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Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Symptoms in full of the new strain of Covid already detected in the UK
Doctors are closely monitoring the NB.1.8.1 strain of Covid, which has been discovered in the UK and can cause heartburn, diarrhea, nausea and other unpleasant symptoms Doctors are carefully monitoring a new strain of the virus which causes Covid - and have put together a comprehensive list of symptoms. There is concern for the NB.1.8.1 strain of Covid, officially designated a "variant under monitoring" by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to its rapid rise. Seven people in Northern Ireland have been diagnosed with the strain, which has the potential to evade immunity from previous infections or vaccines. Some symptoms are the same as ones associated with previous strains, however medics have confirmed new signs - like heartburn - have been noted too. Gastrointestinal symptoms can include abdominal pain and bloating, doctors added. NB.1.8.1 already the dominant strain in Hong Kong and China, and has been detected in Australia, the US and across popular holiday destinations including Egypt, Thailand and the Maldives. The full list of symptoms are; a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste shortness of breath feeling tired or exhausted an aching body a headache a sore throat a blocked or runny nose loss of appetite diarrhoea feeling sick or being sick READ MORE: Holidaymakers told to wear masks and get jabs as cases of 'new Covid' soar According to WHO data, the strain has jumped from 2.5% to 10.7% of submitted global sequences in just four weeks, which has prompted growing international concern. A WHO spokesperson said: "SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, and between January and May 2025, there were shifts in global SARS-CoV-2 variant dynamics. At the beginning of the year, the most prevalent variant tracked by WHO at the global level was XEC, followed by KP.3.1.1. "In February, circulation of XEC began to decline while that of LP.8.1 increased, with the latter becoming the most detected variant in mid-March. Since mid-April, the circulation of LP.8.1 has been slightly declining as NB.1.8.1 is increasingly being detected." Experts say NB.1.8.1 carries multiple mutations that "may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains". Dr Lara Herrero explained: "It's possible a person infected with NB.1.8.1 may be more likely to pass the virus on to someone else, compared to earlier variants. The evidence so far suggests NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily and may partially sidestep immunity from prior infections or vaccination. These factors could explain its rise in sequencing data. "But importantly, the WHO has not yet observed any evidence it causes more severe disease compared to other variants. Reports suggest symptoms of NB.1.8.1 should align closely with other Omicron subvariants."
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
New Covid strain discovered in UK as doctors warn of unusual symptoms
The new NB.1.8.1 strain of Covid has been detected in Northern Ireland and, while some of its symptoms include those of previous strains, others are more unusual, such as heartburn A new strain of the virus that cause COVID has been detected. The Public Health Agency says at least seven people have been diagnosed with the NB.1.8.1 strain of coronavirus, all in Northern Ireland. It has multiple symptoms, including some which differ from the typical ones seen with other strains. "Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases," Dr Lara Herrero, Associate professor and virology research leader at Griffith University in Australia said. Gastrointestinal symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and heartburn. The Mirror has listed the full known symptoms below. NB.1.8.1 has been officially designated a "variant under monitoring" by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to its rapid rise and the potential to evade immunity from previous infections or vaccines. The full list of symptoms are; a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste shortness of breath feeling tired or exhausted an aching body a headache a sore throat a blocked or runny nose loss of appetite diarrhoea feeling sick or being sick READ MORE: Holidaymakers told to wear masks and get jabs as cases of 'new Covid' soar NB.1.8.1 already the dominant strain in Hong Kong and China, and has been detected in Australia, the US and across popular holiday destinations including Egypt, Thailand and the Maldives, reports Daily Star. According to WHO data, the strain has jumped from 2.5% to 10.7% of submitted global sequences in just four weeks, which has prompted growing international concern. A WHO spokesperson said: "SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, and between January and May 2025, there were shifts in global SARS-CoV-2 variant dynamics. At the beginning of the year, the most prevalent variant tracked by WHO at the global level was XEC, followed by KP.3.1.1. "In February, circulation of XEC began to decline while that of LP.8.1 increased, with the latter becoming the most detected variant in mid-March. Since mid-April, the circulation of LP.8.1 has been slightly declining as NB.1.8.1 is increasingly being detected." Experts say NB.1.8.1 carries multiple mutations that "may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains". Dr Lara Herrero explained: "It's possible a person infected with NB.1.8.1 may be more likely to pass the virus on to someone else, compared to earlier variants. The evidence so far suggests NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily and may partially sidestep immunity from prior infections or vaccination. These factors could explain its rise in sequencing data. "But importantly, the WHO has not yet observed any evidence it causes more severe disease compared to other variants. Reports suggest symptoms of NB.1.8.1 should align closely with other Omicron subvariants."
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Presence of rapidly-spreading new Covid variant confirmed in NI
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned the new strain, named NB.1.8.1, currently accounts for just over 10% of global Covid infections. Data produced by the Public Health Agency (PHA), has reported seven cases of the new variant within the last two months. The strain was first detected in NI in the week commencing April 14, when five cases were identified, with a further case the following week and a seventh during the week beginning May 12. NB.1.8.1 has been designated by the WHO as a 'variant under monitoring' due to its rapid global rise and its potential to avoid immunity from previous infections or vaccines. It is currently the dominant variant across Hong Kong and China and has been detected in the US, Australia, Egypt, Thailand and the Maldives. "Respiratory viruses like COVID-19 are still very much in circulation' – Rachel Spiers, PHA WHO data indicates the strain has jumped from accounting for 2.5% of submitted global sequences to 10.7% in just four weeks, prompting international concern. A WHO spokesperson said: "SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, and between January and May 2025, there were shifts in global SARS-CoV-2 variant dynamics. At the beginning of the year, the most prevalent variant tracked by WHO at the global level was XEC, followed by KP.3.1.1. "In February, circulation of XEC began to decline while that of LP.8.1 increased, with the latter becoming the most detected variant in mid-March. Since mid-April, the circulation of LP.8.1 has been slightly declining as NB.1.8.1 is increasingly being detected." Experts have said the strain carries multiple mutations that may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains, but added there was no evidence it causes any more severe symptoms. It is reported that the new variant triggers gastrointestinal symptoms – nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and heartburn – in some patients, a shift from the respiratory symptoms of earlier strains. It comes after the PHA last week revealed more than half of those invited for the Covid-19 Spring vaccination are yet to come forward. Some 42,457 vaccinations had been administered by May 11, with uptake highest among care home residents (34.8%) and those aged 75 years and over (24.8%). The vaccine is also being offered to anyone aged six months and over who is immunosuppressed. Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the PHA, said: 'The Covid-19 spring vaccination programme will run until 30 June, so there is still time for the more vulnerable members of our community to top up their protection ahead of any potential waves of COVID-19 over the coming months. "But they should not delay any further. Respiratory viruses like Covid-19 are still very much in circulation and they can be life threatening for the most vulnerable people in society. News Catch Up - Monday 2nd June "Residents in older adult care homes, adults who are 75 or over and people who are immunosuppressed are particularly vulnerable to complications from Covid-19. 'It is important to keep up to date with your vaccines, as viruses change and protection fades over time. "The best way to protect yourself and others is through vaccination. I would urge everyone who falls into an eligible group to take up the offer of free vaccination.' The latest vaccination programme closes on June 30.
