Latest news with #OmicronJN.1
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
At monsoon relief camps, stress on precautionary measures to prevent Covid transmission, infectious diseases
Intensifying monsoon has aggravated the fears of infectious diseases outbreaks as well as increased transmission of Covid, especially in rain relief camps. The rains may not have a direct bearing on Covid transmission but the infection can spread like wildfire in closed settings such as in relief camps, where isolation or physical distancing between people will not work. The Health department has thus issued a special warning that all possible precautionary measures be taken in relief camps so that there are no chances of an enhanced transmission of Covid. Covid cases have shown a spike in the State, which is being attributed to the increased circulation of the Omicron JN.1 and its sub-lineages, LF.7 and NB.1.8, which has been responsible for the resurgence in Covid cases in southeast Asian nations such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand. There are over 700 active cases of Covid in the State now, with most of the cases located in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Alapuzha While these virus variants may not cause severe disease, its transmission potential remains high, putting the vulnerable population – the elderly, young children, pregnant women and those with comorbidities – at risk. Masking and hand hygiene are of utmost importance in preventing Covid and those in relief camps and these precautions are important to prevent Covid transmission in camps, Health department has said. Those in camps with any respiratory symptoms, including running nose, cough or breathlessness should necessarily wear masks and camp inmates who newly develop symptoms should inform the Health authorities. Those found to be having Covid will be provided protocol-based care. The threat of infectious diseases, including dengue, chikungunya, leptospirosis and Hepatitis A also becomes acute during the rainy season and this is something else that should be paid attention to in relief camps. The Health department has asked local medical teams to visit relief camps and to ensure that any sick persons are cared for and that medicines are provided. Relief workers as well as volunteers who are likely to be in contact with stagnant rain water should opt for doxycycline prophylaxis to prevent leptospirosis. The camp premises should not become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and should be kept clean. Only boiled water should be provided as drinking water in relief camps, the Health department has advised.
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.
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1: Everything you need to know about the new dominant strain and how our vaccines will hold up
A new COVID-19 variant is drawing global attention due to its rapid spread worldwide. The variant — NB.1.8.1 — is set to become the dominant strain in Australia. However, because it has mutated from known variants, the nation's vaccines are still expected to offer decent protection. NB.1.8.1 is already the dominant strain in Western Australia, according to wastewater surveillance reports. 'It's taking off pretty quickly,' Deakin University Professor and Epidemiology Chair Catherine Bennett told 'It is related to variants that we've seen, it looks like two of them have kind of combined, but it has some new mutations as well.' These mutations have two key effects. First, the variant appears different enough from previous strains that our immune systems don't immediately recognize it. This means it can evade the immune defences developed through earlier infections or vaccinations, Bennett explained. Second, the mutations improve the variant's ability to bind to receptors in the mucosal linings of the human body. 'It just means if you're exposed, you're more likely to catch it,' Bennett said. 'People just need to be aware of infection where they can, and avoid spreading it where they can — if they've got symptoms, no matter what it is, it's not the time to socialise.' NB.1.8.1 is a descendant from Omicron JN.1 — the same strain targeted by current vaccines. 'It was wise that they invested in vaccines that were trailing along that JN.1 family,' Bennett told 'While the vaccine is not perfectly matched to this sub-variant, there is enough relationship with the JN.1 strain that is in the vaccine, that allows us to still have an effective vaccine.' Perfect storm for a spike in cases This winter marks Australia's fifth with COVID-19 — though the worst impacts occurred in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In recent months, Australians have relaxed their attitudes toward the virus, buoyed by a seasonal reprieve from high infection rates — a reprieve that has also lowered overall immunity. That complacency is one of several factors creating a perfect storm for a surge in cases: winter, waning immunity, immune evasion by the new variant, and its high transmissibility. 'All those things lining up together suggest that we might be in for a bigger winter wave, possibly even than we saw last year,' Bennett said. 'It could be the first time in a year that we see COVID really starting to impact people,' she said. Bennett noted that right now, 'is the first time that people in ICU with COVID-19 has dropped to the level it has.' These ICU rates are the lowest since 2021 — but they are expected to rise again this winter. 'The more we can do to help reduce spreading the virus around, then the better off we'll be,' Bennett said. At the height of the pandemic in Australia, deaths from COVID-19 were ten times higher than those from the flu. 'That's dropped, but it is still five times higher than the flu. So COVID-19 is still to be taken seriously,' Bennett said. 'Not more severe than the last' The World Health Organisation recently evaluated NB.1.8.1 as a 'low risk' variant overall. That classification reflects comparisons with previous, more severe strains, but also considers current levels of population immunity and treatment availability. 'It can still make some people very sick, but it's not more severe than the last strains we've seen,' Bennett said. 'The other thing the World Health Organisation looks at, is whether the treatments we have still work, that our testing measures still work, that all of that is still okay — and it is,' she said. 'Actually having a booster shot at the start of a wave gives you the best coverage you can have through those next six to eight weeks, which is how long a wave will take.' She urged people over 65 to review their vaccination status, and reminded adults over 18 that they remain eligible for boosters. 'It pays to think about whether you've had an infection, and whether actually a booster might not be a bad thing at this stage.'
New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Kerala reports two Covid deaths, active cases double to 182 in 2 days
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala reported two Covid-related deaths in May, the first fatalities after a prolonged gap, taking the death toll from the virus in the state to 72,141 since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Active cases have doubled in just two days, reaching 182 as of May 21. However, health officials say the situation is not alarming. The two victims, men aged 59 and 64, died at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. The 59-year-old, a resident of Thalavur in Kollam, was admitted with respiratory issues on May 19 and passed away the following day. The second victim, a native of Vazhayila in Thiruvananthapuram, died on May 16. The Union Health Ministry's Covid dashboard has not yet updated the most recent fatality. Health department sources confirmed that both deaths were due to Covid, though the patients had underlying heart conditions and other comorbidities. Health officials said the situation was not alarming and the reporting of cases only reflects the robustness and alertness of the health system. 'Hospitals still follow the protocol of testing pregnant women and surgical patients for Covid, leading to incidental case detection. Routine fever patients are generally not tested,' said an official. Kottayam (57), Ernakulam (34), and Thiruvananthapuram (30) reported the highest number of recent cases in the state. Health dept sends samples to Pune to confirm variants The increased case detection may also be linked to heightened surveillance due to a rise in Covid cases across Southeast Asia. 'Most infections remain mild, but individuals with pre-existing health conditions are still vulnerable to severe illness,' the official added. The recent uptick in cases is believed to be driven by fast-spreading Omicron JN.1 sub-lineages, including LF.7 and NB.1.8. The health department has sent samples to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for genomic sequencing to confirm the circulating variants.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Kerala reports 182 COVID cases in May
As many as 182 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Kerala in May so far, Health Minister Veena George said on Wednesday. The highest number of cases was reported in Kottayam district (57), while 34 and 30 cases were reported in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram respectively during the period, she said after chairing a meeting of the State-level Rapid Response Team (RRT) here. Ms. George urged people to be vigilant as there is a possibility of an increase in COVID cases in Kerala as well, as large numbers of the infection are being reported in Southeast Asian countries. The Omicron JN.1 variants, LF.7 and NB 1.8, which are spreading in these countries, have a higher potential for disease transmission, but the severity is not that high, she noted in a statement. Stressing the significance of self-protection, the Minister said those with symptoms such as a cold, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath must wear a mask. It is advisable for the elderly, pregnant women, and those with serious illnesses to wear masks in public places and while travelling, she said, adding that masks are mandatory while visiting hospitals. Health workers must also wear masks. Instructions have been issued to conduct COVID tests for those coming to hospitals with symptoms in the State. Directions have also been issued to ensure that RTPCR kits and other safety equipment are there, the statement further said. Ms. George also urged people to be cautious against dengue, rat fever and waterborne diseases in view of the impending rainy season. Besides the Health Minister, Health Secretary, National Health Mission's State Mission Director and Health Director were present during the RRT meeting, the statement added.
