&w=3840&q=100)
NB.1.8.1 Covid-19 variant makes up 10% cases globally: Should you worry?
Just when many believed Covid-19 was in the rear-view mirror, a new variant has quietly gained ground. NB.1.8.1, first detected in China in January 2025, now accounts for one in ten Covid-19 cases globally—up from just one in forty a month ago. It has spread across twenty-two countries so far.
What is NB.1.8.1 variant?
According to the World Health Organization, NB.1.8.1 is among several fast-evolving Omicron-lineage variants. From January to May 2025, global dominance shifted from XEC to LP.8.1, with NB.1.8.1 now surging rapidly.
The WHO has classified NB.1.8.1 as a Variant Under Monitoring due to its rise in prevalence and potential public health implications. Officials stress that while vigilance is crucial, there is no cause for alarm. Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness and death.
How NB.1.8.1 behaves and how severe it really is
NB.1.8.1 is a sublineage of the Omicron JN.1 family. It carries similar characteristics—high transmissibility, but mostly mild to moderate illness. It also includes new mutations on the spike protein, which may enhance its ability to spread and evade immunity.
So far, there is no evidence to suggest NB.1.8.1 causes more severe disease, hospitalisations or death compared to previous variants.
NB.1.8.1 symptoms: What to watch for
Common symptoms include:
Dry, persistent cough
Runny or blocked nose
Fatigue and general body aches
Sore throat
Fever or chills
Headache or hoarseness in some cases
Many report being able to go about daily activities but feel unusually tired and sluggish.
Are vaccines still effective against NB.1.8.1?
Updated vaccines, including the latest Omicron-targeted boosters, are designed to protect against the JN.1 family. While they may not prevent all infections, they continue to reduce the risk of hospitalisation and severe outcomes.
Expert guidance includes:
If you are over sixty, have chronic health conditions or are immunocompromised, get a booster if it has been more than six months since your last dose
If you are healthy and under sixty, no new dose is required at present
Use masks in public transport and crowded indoor spaces
How to manage NB.1.8.1 symptoms at home
In most cases, NB.1.8.1 does not require hospitalisation.
Here is what helps:
Rest and stay well hydrated
Use paracetamol or other over-the-counter medications for fever or aches
Recovery generally takes five to seven days
If you are elderly or immunocompromised, speak to your doctor early. Antiviral medication is most effective within five days of the onset of symptoms.
Warning signs: When to seek emergency help
Seek urgent medical care if you experience any of the following:
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain or tightness
Confusion or trouble staying awake
Severe dizziness or fainting
Do not panic, but stay informed
Experts believe NB.1.8.1 will follow a familiar seasonal pattern seen with earlier variants—periodic surges during winter and summer months. Most infections remain mild. Vaccines continue to work. Keep an eye on symptoms, isolate if unwell, and consult your doctor when in doubt.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Covid Virus's Bodyguard: How Pathogen Protects Itself While Replicating
Last Updated: US study highlights that disrupting this protective shield significantly reduces the virus's ability to spread, which could be key to developing more effective antiviral treatments Scientists from the Texas Biomedical Research Institute and the University of Chicago have made a significant breakthrough in understanding SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19. Their collaborative efforts have identified a crucial self-protective mechanism that the virus uses within the human body, enabling it to replicate effectively and infect more cells. The study highlights that disrupting this protective shield significantly reduces the virus's ability to spread, emphasising its critical role in viral propagation. The research reveals that SARS-CoV-2 is not just an invading pathogen but a sophisticated entity that actively protects itself during the infection process. This newly discovered mechanism allows the virus to survive and multiply within host cells, bypassing the body's natural defences. Scientists observed a direct correlation: interference with this shielding process led to a significant drop in the viral infection rate. This finding, published in the journal Nature Communications, strongly suggests that understanding and potentially targeting this protective strategy could be key to developing more effective antiviral treatments. While the initial report does not delve into the specific molecular or cellular details of how this mechanism operates, its identification marks a pivotal moment in Covid-19 research. Scientists emphasise its profound importance in deciphering the intricate ways the virus spreads at a cellular level. Unravelling this protective shield could open new avenues for therapeutic intervention, potentially leading to drugs that disarm the virus's ability to protect itself, thereby limiting its replication and spread within an infected individual. This discovery holds promise for a more targeted approach to combating Covid-19. By understanding the virus's internal defences, researchers can work towards developing antiviral therapies that specifically dismantle this protective mechanism, rather than relying solely on broad-spectrum approaches. (With agency inputs) First Published: June 06, 2025, 18:46 IST
The Print
2 hours ago
- The Print
Haryana reports 31 new Covid cases; 20 from Gurugram, Faridabad: Officials
Karnal and Jhajjar reported three cases each, Panipat reported two cases, while Yamunanagar, Hisar and Panchkula reported one each. According to the state health department, Gurugram and Faridabad reported nine and 11 cases, respectively. Chandigarh, Jun 6 (PTI) Haryana reported a total of 31 fresh Covid cases in the state, out of which 20 cases were reported from Gurugram and Faridabad districts, officials said. The total number of active cases in the state on Friday was 87 while cumulative positive cases were 151, they said. As of Friday, out of the positive cases, only two patients were admitted to health facilities in the state. Recently, Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao urged people and healthcare officials to remain vigilant and proactive. She emphasised that the health and safety of every citizen is the government's top priority. Timely action and strict adherence to preventive measures can significantly curb the spread of the virus, she said. She assured that there was no need to panic. PTI SUN HIG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Pune hospitals see rise in patients testing positive for Covid-19
Pune: Pune is seeing a visible uptick in Covid-19 cases as hospitals have been reporting a further rise in patients testing positive over the past few days. The state health department's data corroborated this trend, with Pune district recording a steady climb in daily new cases: 20 on June 2, 30 on June 3, 41 on June 4, 48 on June 5, and 50 on June 6. Dr Pradeep D'Costa, HoD - ICU and consultant - intensive care, KEM Hospital, Pune, said they have definitely seen a slight increase in cases this week, with around four or five patients admitted. "Most of these cases are mild, but we had one severe case requiring ventilation; thankfully, that patient is now off the ventilator and recovering well. Notably, most of these patients were either incompletely vaccinated — having skipped the booster dose — or not vaccinated at all. " It is unclear how long vaccine-induced immunity lasts, especially for boosters taken a few years ago, as assessing this would require antibody testing, he said. "Additionally, we have observed that pregnancy is a risk factor; one of our Covid-19 positive patients, a pregnant woman, required careful management but is now improving." Dr Vilas Gundecha, director of ICU, Inlaks and Budhrani Hospital, said that in a week's time, they have seen three positive cases at their facility. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Promoções imperdíveis de voos baratos Voos | Anúncios de Pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo "Over the past two weeks, several hospitals in Pune have reported patients with upper respiratory symptoms, predominantly fever and myalgia. Some of these cases tested positive for Covid-19 via RT-PCR." Hospitals are still awaiting clear govt guidelines on precautions or booster doses, he said. "Studies from the third wave (Omicron) showed that booster protection against infection wanes over time, and there is a potential for negative immune imprinting. However, boosters significantly reduce severe outcomes, especially in clinically vulnerable groups, underscoring their public health value. Rapid antigen tests could play a key role if we see a rapid spread, as we are likely missing several Covid-19 cases due to limited testing. However, such kits are no longer readily available." Similarly, an infectious disease specialist from a city hospital said there were 2-3 patients last week, but for the last few days, he has been seeing 2-3 patients daily. "In our outpatient department, we have seen a noticeable increase in Covid-19 cases this week. A key indicator of the rising trend is the number of patients I have previously treated for various conditions reaching out via WhatsApp, reporting upper respiratory tract infection-like symptoms such as fever and cough. Some of these patients tested positive for Covid-19 at private labs. Fortunately, most cases are mild, with patients experiencing manageable symptoms." Dr Jitendra Oswal, deputy medical director, Bharati Hospital, said this week, they have had nearly five Covid-19 patients, compared to just one the previous week. "Most patients have fever, cough, and cold-like symptoms. One of these patients had a respiratory condition severe enough to require oxygen and ICU care but has since improved." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
