Latest news with #1.8.1
Edinburgh Live
4 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
New variant of Covid discovered as doctors warn of unusual symptoms
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A new COVID strain sends a shiver across the UK as cases of the NB. 1.8.1 variant lead to unusual symptoms. Northern Ireland has confirmed at least seven individuals afflicted by this fresh coronavirus mutation, signalling a stark turn in the pandemic's path. "Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases," reveals Dr Lara Herrero, a noted virologist and research leader from Griffith University. READ MORE - Kate Middleton's heartbreaking four-word admission about niece Lilibet READ MORE - Heartbroken Edinburgh grandad loses £250k in scam with fraudsters posing as RBS staff The less common gastrointestinal symptoms reported are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and more severe digestion-related issues, with The Mirror shedding light on the exhaustive list of symptoms tied to NB. 1.8, reports the Mirror. With its swift escalation, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has now tagged NB. 1.8. 1 as a "variant under monitoring", intensifying concerns over its ability to slip past the immunity forged by vaccines or earlier infections. NB. 1.8.1's footing is already strong in Hong Kong and China, and cases have sprung up in the US, Australia, and even in favoured holiday spots like Egypt, Thailand, and the Maldives, as chronicled by the Daily Star. WHO data reveals a significant jump in the strain from 2.5% to 10.7% of submitted global sequences within four weeks, sparking international worry. A WHO spokesperson explained: "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." Specialists note that NB. 1.8.1 has numerous mutations that "may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains". "However, the WHO has not yet observed any evidence it causes more severe disease compared to other variants. Reports indicate symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are expected to be similar to those of other Omicron subvariants."
Wales Online
4 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
New Covid strain symptoms in full including nausea and heartburn as NB.1.8.1 spread deteced
New Covid strain symptoms in full including nausea and heartburn as NB.1.8.1 spread deteced The World Health Organisation has been monitoring the new strain, which is of the Omicron variant, as seven cases have been detected Heartburn is among the symptoms of the new Covid variant detected in the UK (Image: Getty Images ) Medical professionals are on high alert as a new strain of the Coronavirus, known as NB.1.8.1, has been detected in the UK for the first time. The new strain is being closely observed after being listed as a "variant under monitoring" by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to its swift increase in cases. Seven people in Northern Ireland have tested positive for this strain, which has shown potential to bypass immunity from past infections or vaccinations. Across the globe, NB.1.8.1 has quadrupled in prevalence among tested cases in the past month. While some symptoms remain consistent with those of previous variants, healthcare experts have identified additional symptoms such as heartburn. They also noted gastrointestinal issues including abdominal pain and bloating. New Covid variant NB.1.8.1 has been detected across the world (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) NB. 1.8.1 has become the predominant strain in regions like Hong Kong and China and has been found in other countries including Australia, the US, and several holiday hotspots such as Egypt, Thailand, and the Maldives, reports the Mirror. Article continues below A full list of symptoms: 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 Data from WHO indicates a concerning rise in the prevalence of the NB. 1.8.1 strain, jumping from 2.5 per cent to 10.7 per cent of global sequences submitted within a four-week span, leading to increased global vigilance. A spokesperson for WHO stated: "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. Article continues below "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 note that NB. 1.8.1 carries multiple mutations that "may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains". 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.
