New Covid variant turning classic symptoms upside down amid summer surge fears
A new Covid variant has been confirmed in Ireland and experts say it could be changing how symptoms show up.
The strain, named NB.1.8.1, has seen a rapid rise in Ireland in recent weeks. According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the proportion of sequenced Covid samples linked to NB.1.8.1 has jumped from just 3.7% to 33.3% in the last five weeks.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified NB.1.8.1 as a "variant under monitoring" due to its fast global spread. It now accounts for more than 10% of sequenced Covid infections worldwide and is already the dominant strain in China and Hong Kong.
It has also been detected in the UK, US and Australia, as well as a number of popular holiday destinations like Egypt, Thailand and the Maldives.
But it's the way this variant may alter the typical symptom profile that has caught doctors' attention. While previous strains mainly triggered respiratory issues, NB.1.8.1 is now being linked to gastrointestinal symptoms in some patients - which can include nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and heartburn.
Dr Lara Herrero, Associate Professor and Virology Research Leader at Griffith University, explained: "Common symptoms [of NB.1.8.1] include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases."
Health officials are closely watching NB.1.8.1's rise ahead of the peak summer season. Dr Herrero said: "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."
She added that there's no indication so far that NB.1.8.1 causes more severe illness, stating: "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."
According to Dr Scott Roberts, an infectious disease specialist at Yale, Covid typically surges twice a year - in winter and summer - regardless of the variant. He told NBC news last week: "I'm going to go ahead and guess that it's going to lead to an uptick in the summer - probably a mild to moderate one".
Meanwhile, Dr Thomas Russo, head of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo, told the publication of his concern that a relaxed approach to the virus could backfire. He warned: "It may unfortunately come back with a little bit of vengeance on us. Let's hope that doesn't happen, but I am concerned that we may be setting ourselves up for that with this combination of factors."
The WHO has not recommended any new travel or trade restrictions, but urged countries to remain alert, saying: "Based on the current risk assessment of this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or trade restrictions."
Ireland's public health advice remains the same: If you have any symptoms of Covid, stay at home until 48 hours after the symptoms are mostly or fully gone. You should also avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid.
The HSE has reminded the public of the wide range of Covid symptoms to look out for. These include:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Australian woman accused of murdering in-laws added mushrooms because dish was 'a little bland'
THE AUSTRALIAN WOMAN accused of murdering three people by lacing their lunch with toxic mushrooms told a court today she may have unwittingly used 'foraged' fungi in the dish. Erin Patterson is charged with murdering her estranged husband's parents and aunt in 2023 by spiking their beef Wellington lunch with lethal death cap mushrooms. She is also accused of attempting to murder a fourth guest – her husband's uncle – who survived after a long stay in hospital. Patterson maintains the lunch was poisoned by accident, pleading not guilty to all charges in a case that continues to grip Australia. The 50-year-old choked up with emotion as she gave her account of the meal today. She said she decided to improve the beef-and-pastry dish with dried mushrooms after deciding it tasted a 'little bland'. While she initially believed a kitchen container held store-bought mushrooms, she said it may have been mixed with foraged fungi. 'I decided to put in the dried mushrooms I brought from the grocer,' she told the court. 'Now I think that there was a possibility that there were foraged ones in there as well.' She also told the court that she had misled her guests about the purpose of the family meal. While they ate, Patterson revealed she might be receiving treatment for cancer in the coming weeks. But this was a lie, Patterson said on Wednesday. 'Shouldn't have lied' 'I was planning to have gastric bypass surgery, so I remember thinking I didn't want to tell anybody what I was going to have done. 'I was really embarrassed about it. Advertisement 'So letting them believe I had some serious issue that needed treatment might mean they could help me with the logistics around the kids,' she told the court. 'I shouldn't have lied to them,' she added. The prosecution alleges Patterson deliberately poisoned her lunch guests and took care that she did not consume the deadly mushrooms herself. Her defence says Patterson ate the same meal as the others but did not fall as sick. Patterson asked her estranged husband Simon to the family lunch at her secluded rural Victoria home in July 2023. Simon turned down the invitation because he felt too uncomfortable, the court has heard previously. The pair were long estranged but still legally married. Simon's parents Don and Gail were happy to attend, dying days after eating the home-cooked meal. Simon's aunt Heather Wilkinson also died, while her husband Ian fell seriously ill but later recovered. Patterson earlier told the court how she had started foraging for mushrooms during a Covid lockdown in 2020, using a dehydrator to preserve them. Husband Simon asked her if she had 'poisoned' his parents using the appliance, Patterson told the court on Wednesday. 'I said of course not,' Patterson said. Police later found the dehydrator at a nearby rubbish dump. The trial is expected to last another week. - © AFP 2025
Irish Independent
10 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Over 11,000 people diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland every year – calls for free sunscreen in all schools and public buildings
Over 11,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland every year and projections from the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026 has predicted that cases of melanoma will double by 2045 particularly among men. In 2022, research conducted on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society found that just a third of Irish people apply sunscreen regularly, and nearly one in seven of us never wear it in Ireland. The issue was debated at a recent full council meeting after Fine Gael councillor Aileen Browne brought forward a motion urging Cork County Council to install free sunscreen dispensers in all Council offices and libraries. The motion also requested Cork County Council to write to the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill seeking dedicated national funding to provide sunscreen dispensers in public buildings across Ireland, including schools and third-level institutions. Cllr Browne said the move is both practical and essential in light of the growing skin cancer crisis in Ireland. 'Over 11,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland every year, and tragically, most of those cases are preventable. This motion is about normalising the use of sunscreen, just like we normalised hand sanitiser during Covid. It's a small change that could make a huge difference.' Ms Browne cited alarming projections from the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023–2026, which forecasts a doubling of melanoma cases by 2045, particularly among men. 'With fair skin being the most common skin type in Ireland, UV protection is more important than ever even on cloudy days. People often assume that sunscreen is only for hot, sunny countries, but in Ireland, UV rays still penetrate through cloud, and they still cause damage. This is not just a seasonal issue, it's a public health issue." The motion also emphasised the cost-effectiveness of prevention, noting that while treating advanced melanoma can cost over €122,000 per case, early prevention costs just a fraction of that. 'We can't afford for more diagnoses or more suffering,' said Cllr Browne. 'This initiative is not only about saving lives, it's also about saving our health service money. Our communities deserve visible, accessible tools to stay safe in the sun. We care about people's health, and we're ready to act. 'This is a simple step we can take right now and I sincerely hope the Minister for Health will join me in making it a national priority,' she added. The motion was seconded by Independent councillor Ben Dalton O'Sullivan who said skin cancer is very prominent and unfortunately cases are on the increase. Fianna Fáil councillor Gearóid Murphy praised the motion for being practical and sensible. 'We live in a country which often has very changeable weather. It would be a good idea to try and roll this out on a national basis.' Fine Gael councillor Kate Lynch emphasised the importance of normalising the use of sunscreen. 'By installing this in schools we are making it part and parcel of a daily routine. We need to normalise kids putting on their own sunscreen. I don't think we realise the seriousness of it until it actually knock on your door and someone is diagnosed with skin cancer. The solution can be fairly simple. Protect ourselves rather than having to deal with the actual cancer itself.' Social Democrats councillor Ann Bambury said: 'Having four young children I know how significant it is to ensure they are fully protected with sunscreen and with our increasing warmer climate all preventative measures should be taken. I would also love to see the removal of VAT from sunscreen as well.' 'I would support the principle of the motion,' said the CEO of Cork County Council Moira Murrell: 'Our first duty of care is to our employees. We do provide sunscreen for staff that work outdoors. Primarily it is a public health initiative. If there is a national scheme and if local authorities are asked to engage in that, we will fully support that public health initiative. We will certainly be in a position to work with any national scheme that is there.'
Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Erin Patterson started foraging for wild mushrooms during Covid lockdown, murder accused tells trial
Australian woman testifies that she found exotic fungi 'more interesting' ©UK Independent Erin Patterson, the Australian woman accused of murdering three relatives with a poisoned beef Wellington, told a court yesterday that she developed an interest in wild mushrooms while walking with her children during the Covid lockdowns. Ms Patterson (50) is charged with deliberately serving death cap mushrooms to her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson and Heather's husband Ian during a 2023 lunch at her home in the town of Leongatha in Victoria. Ian Wilkinson was the only guest to survive.
