New Covid strain with 'unusual' symptoms identified as cases surge
The new Covid variant, labelled NB.1.8.1, is causing unusual gastrointestinal problems, health officials have warned
The new strain of Covid is the result of two variants combining
(Image: Getty Images/Westend61 )
Health authorities have issued an alert regarding a new strain of coronavirus after a surge in cases. Residents in Ireland are being advised to self-isolate for two days if they exhibit any Covid symptoms, as the new variant - which presents with unusual symptoms - is also linked to gastrointestinal issues.
The variant, known as NB.1.8.1, has already been identified in the UK, US and Australia. Specialists emphasised that while previous strains have been associated with flu-like symptoms, NB. 1.8.1 can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and heartburn. Patients experiencing bloating, constipation and abdominal pain could also be suffering from Covid-19, reports the Mirror.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has added the variant to its official watch list, suggesting it may be more transmissible than other strains. However, there's no evidence yet to suggest it leads to more severe illness. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
According to WHO, the strain first emerged in January and by late April it accounted for approximately 10.7% of global infections, a significant increase from just 2.5% a month earlier.
The variant has also been identified in renowned holiday destinations such as Thailand, Egypt, and the Maldives. It has rapidly become the prevailing strain in some Asian regions, including China and Hong Kong.
Article continues below
Dr Lara Herrero, an Associate Professor and Virology Research Leader at Griffith University, shared details about the symptoms: "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."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Channel 4
4 hours ago
- Channel 4
US Health Secretary cuts $500m in MRNA vaccine development
He rose to prominence on a wave of vaccine-skepticism, now US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has cancelled nearly $500 million worth of funding for the development of MRNA vaccines. The kind that helped end the Covid pandemic and save millions of lives according to scientists.
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Telegraph
Labour to deny six million pensioners Covid jabs this winter
The Government is to deny six million pensioners Covid jabs this winter. The rollout will be restricted to only the most vulnerable groups, and the vaccines will not be offered to NHS and care workers. Only people over the age of 75, those living in care homes and others who are immunosuppressed will be eligible for free vaccines. 'Reckless and short-term' The changes mean about six million pensioners between the age of 65 and 74 will not be offered free jabs. The decision from ministers follows recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to restrict jabs to those most vulnerable to serious outcomes from infection. But pharmacists said the decision was 'reckless' and 'short-term' and could lead to increasing numbers of patients needing hospital care this winter. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said: 'This is hugely concerning, a reckless decision.' She said it was 'madness' for the UK to restrict jabs, with Germany and the United States among countries still recommending the vaccines for all pensioners. 'To deny millions of seniors their Covid jab this year is to take an unacceptable risk with patient health and risks producing a winter crisis the NHS simply won't be able to cope with,' Dr Hannbeck said. A Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson said: 'This decision is based on expert advice from the JCVI, which continuously monitor and evaluate emerging scientific evidence on COVID-19 vaccines. 'The autumn 2025 vaccination programme will target people who are at the highest risk of serious illness to protect the most vulnerable. We encourage anyone who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccination to come forward for vaccination this autumn.' The decision means frontline NHS workers and care staff will no longer be offered free jabs. The DHSC said: 'In the current era of high population immunity to COVID-19, additional COVID-19 doses provide very limited, if any, protection against infection and any subsequent onward transmission of infection.' It said that high population immunity meant vaccination was likely to only have a very limited impact on reducing staff sickness absence.
Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Scotsman
New virus outbreak in China
The risk of the chikungunya virus spreading to the EU has been classed as 'high' by the ECDC 🚨 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... There is an outbreak of the chikungunya virus in China. People travelling to the area have been advised to 'practice enhanced precautions' by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC). In Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has classed the risk of the virus spreading to the EU as 'high'. China is grappling with a new outbreak, with travellers to the area being advised to 'practice enhanced precautions'. The chikungunya virus has been spreading in Guangdong Province, China, with most cases reported in Foshan city, according to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The chikungunya virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Local authorities in China have been seen spraying disinfectant throughout the streets, in scenes that are similar to those from the days of Covid. So, what is the chikungunya virus, how bad is the outbreak, and should we be worried about it coming to the UK? Here's everything you need to know. The risk of the chikungunya virus spreading to the EU has been classed as 'high' by the ECDC. | Photo by AKILA JAYAWARDENA/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images What is the chikungunya virus? Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes to humans when they are bitten. The virus is found in more than 100 countries in Africa, Asia, North, South, and Central America, the Caribbean, and Pacific islands. The infection is not common in Europe, but has been found in Italy in France. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What are the symptoms of the chikungunya virus? Symptoms of chikungunya usually begin four to eight days after being bitten by a mosquito. They start with a high temperature accompanied by intense joint pains. With additional symptoms including a rash, headache, feeling tired (fatigued), feeling sick (nausea), and muscle pains. Serious complications are not common, with people usually feeling better after a few days or a week. However, some people may experience ongoing joint pain for weeks or longer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There is no specific treatment for chikungunya virus infection; however, there are two chikungunya vaccines that have recently been approved for use in the UK. How bad is the outbreak in China? There is a chikungunya virus outbreak in Guangdong Province, China, with most cases reported in Foshan city. The outbreak has been classed as a level two by the CDC, with those in the area advised to 'practice enhanced precautions', such as protecting themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes by using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers, and staying in accommodation that has screens or air conditioning. Travellers are advised to get vaccinated against chikungunya, whilst those who are pregnant should reconsider travelling to the area as there can be severe risks for mothers and newborn babies. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Could the chikungunya virus infection spread to the UK? There is no risk of catching the chikungunya virus infection in the UK. Reacting to the outbreak, Dr Robert Jones, Assistant Professor, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), told Science Media Centre: 'There is no risk of contracting chikungunya in the UK at present. 'The mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya are not established in the UK, although they are found in parts of southern Europe. Occasionally, imported cases are diagnosed in returning travellers, but these do not lead to local transmission.' In Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has classified the risk of the chikungunya virus spreading in the EU as 'high', due to the risk of imported cases through infected travellers and the presence of mosquitoes in countries around the Mediterranean coast.
