Latest news with #AmyEdwards
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
New COVID variant NB.1.8.1 spreading fast in the U.S — is your vaccine effective? Will there be a summer surge?
A new COVID variant, NB.1.8.1, is gaining traction in the United States just as summer approaches. Despite its rarity, it appears to be more transmissible than current strains. While not yet dominant, officials are closely monitoring its expansion and potential impact on public health. Although experts say it's too soon to predict whether the virus will lead to more COVID cases this summer, health officials are closely monitoring the variant as it spreads throughout the world. NB.1.8.1 is categorized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a "variant under monitoring." A descendant of the Omicron JN.1 lineage, NB.1.8.1 was first identified in late January and has experienced a dramatic increase in cases worldwide in recent weeks, as per a report by Health. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mountain Gear for Extreme Conditions Trek Kit India Learn More Undo How serious is NB.1.8.1 compared to other variants? The WHO's latest data shows that between April 21 and April 27, 10.7% of all sequenced COVID cases worldwide were caused by NB.1.8.1, up from 2.5% just one month earlier. According to Shira Doron, MD, chief infection control officer at Tufts Medicine, the variant is genetically distinct from LP.8.1, the dominant strain currently found in the United States. Live Events The variant may increase cases this summer because it seems more contagious than LP.8.1, the strain that is most prevalent globally. It appears to be no more effective than LP.8.1, though, at avoiding immunity from vaccinations or previous infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that it does not present an additional health risk because it has not discovered any evidence that it causes more serious illness. What are the symptoms of NB.1.8.1? Experts concur that NB.1.8.1 symptoms resemble those of other COVID infections. The majority of NB.1.8.1 patients should anticipate the following symptoms: Chills or fever, coughing, congestion and sore throat, weariness, breathing difficulties and diarrhea. The good news is that NB.1.8.1 doesn't seem to make people sicker than earlier versions. Could there be a summer COVID surge? While now accounting for only a small portion of U.S. cases, specialists are closely monitoring NB.1.8.1. Six spike protein mutations are present in the variation, which may improve its ability to spread and elude antibodies. According to Amy Edwards, MD, an infectious disease specialist and assistant professor of pediatrics at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, those mutations and early data point to NB.1.8.1 being marginally more transmissible, as per a report by NBC News. However, because of NB.1.8.1 or another variation, the number of COVID cases in the United States is probably going to increase this summer. Over the past few years, COVID has experienced two significant increases: one in the mid-to-late summer and another in the winter, Schaffner said, in contrast to influenza, which has one significant increase annually in the winter. Are NB.1.8.1 and current vaccines still effective? Experts say that current vaccines provide some protection, and the variant does not appear to be more severe. Some protection against NB.1.8.1 should come from preexisting immunity from vaccinations or previous infections. The Food and Drug Administration has asked drugmakers to update Covid vaccines to target the LP.8.1 variant this fall. Data from Pfizer and Moderna suggest the updated vaccines would offer protection against NB.1.8.1 as well. However, the FDA has said it will limit its approval of updated Covid shots to older adults and younger people with a medical condition that puts them at risk of severe illness. Doctors worry that pregnant people and children under 5 may be vulnerable to severe outcomes from Covid this winter. Even healthy adults who've been vaccinated before might not have optimal protection. According to Doron, new COVID booster shots from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax are also being developed and should be available in the early fall. Preliminary results indicate that they will be effective against NB.1.8.1 and other more prevalent strains in the United States. FAQs Does the new variant result in more severe illness? No, NB.1.8.1 does not appear to result in more severe symptoms than previous variants. Will current vaccines protect me from it? Yes, existing vaccines and boosters should provide some protection against NB.1.8.1.
American Military News
5 days ago
- Health
- American Military News
New Chinese Covid strain spreads to US
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that a new strand of COVID-19 with a high rate of infection, which has caused a significant increase in hospitalizations in China, has spread to multiple locations in the United States. CBS News reported that the CDC confirmed that the new NB.1.8.1 COVID-19 variant connected to significant spike in COVID-19 cases in China has been detected in different locations throughout the United States. The outlet noted that the earliest U.S. cases of the new COVID-19 strain were detected as part of an international traveler airport screening program in March and April. In a statement obtained by CBS News, a CDC spokesperson said, 'CDC is aware of reported cases of COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 in China and is in regular contact with international partners.' In an executive summary shared by The World Health Organization, officials said, 'NB.1.8.1 has been designated a SARS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring (VUM) with increasing proportions globally, while LP.8.1 is starting to decline. Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is evaluated as low at the global level.' The World Health Organization added, 'Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalizations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation.' READ MORE: Trump admin investigating fmr. top Democrat over major Covid cover-up: Report According to The New York Post, the CDC has indicated that there are currently not enough cases of the new COVID-19 variant in the United States for the agency's variant estimates to properly track the cases; however, the outlet noted that medical experts have warned that the cases in China point to the virus spreading faster than other strains of the virus. Earlier this month, Hong Kong's government warned that COVID-19 cases had reached a 'one-year high' and that the country was experiencing a 'significant increase' in hospitalizations due to the new strain of COVID-19. Additionally, The New York Post noted that Chinese state media reported that the number of patients in China with COVID-19 infections visiting emergency rooms more than doubled in just one month. Dr. Amy Edwards, a professor of pediatrics, told CBS News, 'What they're seeing in China, Hong Kong and some other areas where this variant has really surged, is an increase in hospitalization.' Dr. Edwin Tsui, the head of Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP), warned that the new COVID-19 variant 'should not be taken lightly' and added that the CHP was 'cautious of the possible emergence of more virulent or vaccine-mismatched strains of the virus in the future.'
Evening Standard
5 days ago
- Health
- Evening Standard
What is the new quick spreading Covid variant NB.1.8.1?
While NB.1.8.1 does not seem to cause more severe sickness, it is spreading more quickly than previous variations, according to Dr Amy Edwards of Case Western Reserve University, who spoke to CBS News. 'What they're seeing in China, Hong Kong, and elsewhere is a sharp uptick in hospitalisations', she stated.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
'Should not be taken lightly': Highly contagious Covid-19 variant from China detected in US
This is a representative AI image A new, highly contagious strain of Covid-19 that has driven a wave of hospitalisations across China has now surfaced in the United States, including cases in New York City, federal health officials confirmed this week. Known as NB.1.81, the variant was first detected in US between late March and early April among international travellers arriving at airports in California, Washington State, Virginia, and New York. Additional cases have since been identified in Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii, according to the centres for disease control and prevention (CDC). Though current numbers remain low in the US, public health experts are warning that the variant's rapid spread across Asia may foreshadow a new wave of infections. 'It appears to have a growth advantage, suggesting it may spread more easily,' said Subhash Verma, a microbiologist at the University of Nevada. NB.1.81 became the dominant strain in China earlier this year, prompting a noticeable surge in Covid-related emergency room visits and hospitalisations. In Hong Kong, officials reported the highest number of cases in over a year, with 81 severe infections and 30 deaths, mostly among those aged 65 and older, recorded in the past four weeks. Mainland China has also seen Covid-related ER visits more than double, from 7.5% to over 16% of all patients. Hospital admissions rose by more than 6%, according to local health authorities. Despite the rise in hospitalisations, Chinese and Hong Kong officials have downplayed the threat, insisting the variant is not more dangerous than previous strains. However, health experts remain cautious. 'What they're seeing in China, Hong Kong, and other regions is clearly a spike in hospitalisations,' said Dr Amy Edwards, a pediatric infectious disease expert at Case Western Reserve University. 'That's not something we can ignore.' US airport surveillance has revealed that the variant has travelled with infected individuals passing through countries including Japan, South Korea, France, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Netherlands, highlighting its global reach. The variant causes typical Covid symptoms—sore throat, cough, fatigue, and fever—but scientists are concerned about its ability to partially evade existing vaccine protections. Dr Edwin Tsui, head of Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection, warned that NB.1.81 should not be taken lightly, citing 'early signs of vaccine mismatch.' The CDC, meanwhile, is adjusting its guidance. On Tuesday, it announced it would no longer recommend Covid vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women. The Trump administration has also signalled plans to restrict booster shots to only high-risk groups, such as seniors. As scientists track the variant's behaviour and transmissibility, experts urge caution and renewed attention to public health measures. 'It may not be more severe, but its ability to spread faster means we could see more cases and more hospitalisations if we're not prepared,' said Dr Edwards.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
New Covid-19 Variant NB.1.8.1 is Highly Contagious, Warn Experts; What We Know So Far
The new, highly contagious Covid-19 variant NB.1.8.1 has been detected in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC has also confirmed that NB.1.8.1 has triggered a sharp rise in hospitalisations across China. The strain was first detected was first reported in the US between late March and early April among international travellers arriving at US airports. A few reports suggest that additional cases have been reported in Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. Reports suggest that Hong Kong has reported 81 severe cases and 30 deaths linked to the variant in just four weeks, particularly individuals aged 65 and above. Health experts in the US have emphasised that while NB.1.8.1 does not appear to cause more severe illness, it is spreading faster than earlier variants. "What they're seeing in China, Hong Kong, and elsewhere is a sharp uptick in hospitalisations," Dr. Amy Edwards of Case Western Reserve University told CBS. About NB.1.8.1 NB.1.8.1 is a descendant of the Omicron family. Like other Omicron sub-variants, NB.1.8.1 appears to be highly transmissible. While the World Health Organisation has not classified it as a variant of concern, experts have warned that it can spread rapidly. The new variant does not have any unique characteristics. Symptoms are generally mild to moderate. However, elderly and immune-compromised people remain at higher risk for severe disease. Symptoms of NB.1.8.1 Infected individuals have reported symptoms that are quite similar to those of other omicron variants, including fever, cough, sore throat, headache, loss of appetite, body aches, fatigue, and runny nose. What should you do? "There is no need to panic at the moment. Most cases have reported mild symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections like cough, cold, slight breathlessness, fever, body ache and malaise. Severe outcomes are rare due to gained immunity and milder variants," said Dr Mohit Saran, Consultant - Internal Medicine And Diabetologist at Manipal Hospital, Gurugram. However, it is important to remain cautious. Wear a mask, practice frequent handwashing, avoid large gatherings and crowded places and seek medical help if you have symptoms. Dr. Edwin Tsui, head of the Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong said that the variant "should not be taken lightly" and may be more capable of evading current vaccine protection. Till now, less than 20 NB.1.8.1 cases have been reported in the US which is relatively low. However, experts are raising concerns about the variant's rapid spread in China and parts of Asia, where it has already become the dominant strain. In India, NB.1.8.1 was first identified in Tamil Nadu in April 2025.
