All you need to know about new Covid strain 'Nimbus' as doctors issue UK warning
The new variant, called NB.1.8.1, or 'Nimbus' spreads more easily than previous strains on the virus, spreading rapidly around the globe.
Doctors have issued a warning for the UK over the new easily transmissible strain of Covid, called 'Nimubs', which has seen a surge of in the country. The new variant, also called NB.1.8.1, is making up a "growing proportion" of Covid cases worldwide, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
China and Hong Kong have seen a surge in cases as well as 21 other countries, and 13 cases have already been found in the UK, warned doctors. Symptoms of Nimbus are similar to previous variants, with a painful sore throat and even heartburn reported as key signs of the new strain.
According to Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice, the NB.1.8.1 variant has a distinctive symptom, a severe sore throat known as a "razor blade sensation".
Common Covid symptoms like fever, muscle aches and congestion as well as redness in the back of the mouth and swollen neck glands are also listed symptoms of NB.1.8.1.
"However, symptoms can vary widely so vigilance is key," Dr Asif told the Manchester Evening News. According to the NHS, Covid symptoms include a high temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss or change to sense of smell or taste, shortness of breath and feeling sick.
Although classic Covid symptoms include a severe cough, sore throat and high fever, NB.1.8.1 has also been found to have gastrointestinal symptoms.
Symptoms of the new variant include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Heartburn
Bloating
Constipation
Abdominal pain
The World Health Organization (WHO) has added the variant to its official watch list, suggesting that it is more transmissible than other strains of the virus.
However, there isn't any evidence to indicate that it causes more serious illness than previous versions of Covid.
Nimbus first appeared in January, and by late April it was responsible for around 10.7 per cent of global infections, up from just 2.5 per cent a month earlier. Recent weeks have also seen a spike of cases in Ireland.
Data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) shows that the proportion of sequenced Covid samples linked to NB.1.8.1 jumped from 3.7 per cent to 27.3 per cent in the last five weeks.
The variant has been flagged in the UK, US and Australia, and has been linked to spikes in Covid cases in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director, said: "NB.1.8.1 has been detected in small numbers in the UK to date, but international data suggests that it is growing as a proportion of all COVID-19 cases.
"Based on the available information so far however, there is no evidence to suggest that this variant causes more severe disease than previous variants, or that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against it."
'Variants like this pop up when the virus mutates, which is normal for viruses, especially ones that spread widely,' explained Dr Chun Tang, GP at Pall Mall Medical.
'NB.1.8.1 was first picked up in early 2025 and has since been detected in several countries, including the UK, China and US. It's got some new mutations that scientists are keeping a close eye on.'
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Mystery hepatitis outbreak linked to 'contaminated' supermarket product: 95 sickened and 58 hospitalised, officials reveal
Officials are investigating a surge in cases of a highly contagious liver infection they have linked to a contaminated supermarket food item. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified a wave of hepatitis A infections in Britain after 95 people were sickened with a serious liver infection, with 58 so ill they needed to be hospitalised. Hepatitis A—which is caused by a virus spread by contaminated faeces making its way into food and drink—can be deadly but is usually uncommon in the UK. Officials have now confirmed two separate clusters of the virus across Britain, with 53 cases having been reported since December 2024 alone in the latest wave. Analysis of patient interviews has linked the outbreak to a specific food item purchased from an unnamed supermarket, which most patients reported consuming before falling ill. Officials, who have not yet named the product, stated that it has 'emerged as a possible vehicle of transmission'. According to a report, the first cluster saw 19 people hospitalised with the infection, with most patients aged 50 to 69. The second cluster saw 39 cases needing hospital care due to the illness. Overall, 95 cases have been reported across both waves of the infection. Cases related to the first cluster of infections range from January 2021 to March 2025, with 23 cases having been reported since August 2024 in the first wave. The latest wave struck in January 2023, with cases still being reported up until March this year. No deaths linked to the outbreak have yet been reported. Public Health Scotland are leading the ongoing investigation alongside UKHSA and said that the lack of international travel among patients and the repeated mention of certain food items is helping direct their inquiry. Hepatitis A has few noticeable symptoms in its early stages and if left untreated can lead to liver failure and can even prove fatal. Unlike the related conditions hepatitis B and C, Hepatitis A doesn't cause chronic liver disease, but can still lead to severe complications in some patients. Signs of the infection include a high temperature, flu-like symptoms—such as fatigue, headache and muscle pains—feeling or being sick, abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, pale grey coloured faeces and itchy skin. These usually develop within two months of infection but in some cases can go undetected for longer. In more severe cases, a patient's skin and eyes may appear yellow, a condition known as jaundice a serious sign the liver is struggling to function correctly. But the NHS warns that most children, and some adults, may have no symptoms indicating they are infected. Hepatitis A usually clears up on its own within three to six months, but doctors may prescribe medication to relieve symptoms. Anyone who has not been vaccinated or previously infected is at a higher risk of catching the illness. Good personal hygiene—including washing hand before meals and after using the bathroom—can help prevent the spread of the infection. Patients diagnosed with Hepatitis A are advised not to drink alcohol, prepare food or drink for other people, have sex without a barrier method like a condom or share needles with others until they are no longer infectious. This is usually around seven days after initial symptoms start, for those who do not have jaundice. It comes as UK health chiefs reported an increase in the number of acute—sudden onset—hepatitis cases in children aged 10 and under. Between January and May 2022, nearly 180 children fell ill with an unusual form of the liver disease. Typically, only around 20 children will contract an unexplained case of hepatitis each year. An outbreak in a school in Huddersfield in 2023 sparked a public health warning, after two children contracted Hepatitis A. Pupils and staff were offered Hepatitis A vaccinations as a precautionary measure, despite the vaccination not being routinely offered in the UK because the risk of infection is so low.
The Sun
15 minutes ago
- The Sun
First heat-health alert issued for 4 parts of the UK from tomorrow – amid warnings of ‘serious outcomes'
PARTS of Britain face scorching 30°C heat this weekend, with health chiefs warning it could trigger "serious" health risks. It comes as the first yellow heat health alert has been issued for 2025 by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). 3 3 3 "Even moderate heat can result in serious health outcomes," Dr Agostinho Sousa, from the health body said, "[This is] especially for older adults, and it is therefore important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun." The heat alert comes into force from 9pm on Thursday and runs until 8am on Sunday, covering the East of England, East Midlands, London and South East regions. "The forecasted high temperatures are expected to be short-lived but could primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions," Dr Agostinho added. "If you have friends, family or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.''
Reuters
17 minutes ago
- Reuters
Novavax's COVID-flu combo and standalone flu shots improve immunity in late-stage study
June 11 (Reuters) - Novavax's (NVAX.O), opens new tab experimental COVID-19-influenza combination and standalone influenza vaccines showed strong immune responses in some patients tested in a late-stage study, the company said on Wednesday.
