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News18
25-05-2025
- Health
- News18
NB.1.8.1: Should We Be Worried About New Covid Variant In India? Symptoms Explained
Last Updated: WHO has classified NB.1.8.1 as Variant Under Monitoring as of May, indicating it has mutations that could be worth tracking. Reports suggest it has a higher transmissibility rate A new sub-variant of Covid-19 called NB.1.8.1 has been detected in India. Its sample was collected and sequenced in April. Though over the past few weeks, the samples of SARS-Cov-2, which have been sequenced in India, were of BA.2 and JN.1 variants. The NB.1.8.1 sample, which has been for genome sequencing to INSACOG from Tamil Nadu, is considered a descendant of Omicron lineage JN.1. What Is NB.1.8.1? The World Health Organization classified NB.1.8.1 as 'Variant Under Monitoring' (VUM) as of May 2025, indicating it has mutations that could be worth tracking but is not currently a 'Variant of Interest' due to its low global public health risk. The variant is derived from recombinant ancestor XDV.1.5.1, with the earliest samples reported from January 22, 2025. This variant carries six mutations in the spike protein as compared to other circulating LP8.1 and eight mutations as compared to JN.1, as per an Indian Express report. advetisement Preliminary data suggest that NB.1.8.1 has a higher transmissibility rate compared to some earlier variants, possibly due to its enhanced binding affinity to human receptors. Reports suggest that there were 58 NB.1.8.1 sequences submitted to global Covid-19 genome sequencing database from 22 countries. What Are The Key Characteristics? Mutations: NB.1.8.1 has spike protein mutations (A435S, V445H, T478I) that suggest increased transmissibility and some immune evasion compared to other variants of Covid-19. These mutations enhance its ability to bind to human cells, potentially making it more contagious. Transmissibility: Preliminary data from China indicate that NB.1.8.1 is highly transmissible, contributing to its dominance in some regions. However, there's no evidence that it is more severe than other Omicron subvariants. Global Spread: Beyond India, NB.1.8.1 has been detected in the United States (via airport screenings in California, Washington, Virginia, and New York), Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and other countries. Its cases have surged in parts of Asia, including Singapore that reported a rise from 11,100 to over 14,000 weekly cases in early May 2025. What Are The Symptoms Of NB.1.8.1? Most of the symptoms are similar to previous Omicron variants. • Sore throat • Fatigue • Mild cough • Fever • Nasal congestion • Headache • Nausea • Loss of appetite • Gastrointestinal issues • Notably, loss of taste or smell, common in earlier variants like Delta, is less frequently reported with NB.1.8.1. Public Health Impact In India Currently, India has reported 257 active Covid-19 cases as of May 19, 2025, with a mild rise in states like Kerala (273 cases in May), Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. The NB.1.8.1 case in Tamil Nadu was an isolated detection, and JN.1 remains the dominant variant (53% of sequenced samples), followed by BA.2 (26%). The WHO and Indian health officials have stressed that NB.1.8.1 variant does not appear to cause more severe illness or higher mortality than other variants. Most cases are mild, managed with home care, and hospitalisation rates remain low. Advertisement Existing Covid-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against NB.1.8.1 for preventing severe disease and symptomatic infection. Prior infections, particularly from Omicron, may also provide some immune protection via memory T cells, limiting disease severity. The Health Ministry remains vigilant and proactive in monitoring the situation closely. Why Bengaluru's Case Is Unique? The Karnataka Health Department officials confirmed that a nine-month-old baby tested positive for Covid-19 through a Rapid Antigen Test on May 22. The baby, who is from Hoskote town near Bengaluru, is being treated at Vani Vilas Hospital. Officials said the infant is safe and has not developed complications. top videos View All The state has been seeing a gradual increase in Covid-19 cases over the past 20 days. The state has recorded 35 cases so far this year, out of which 32 are from Bengaluru, said Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. The department has urged the public to follow preventive measures as a precaution, although no serious situation has developed yet. Health experts recommend maintaining proper hand hygiene, wear masks in crowded places, monitor symptoms and consult a doctor if unwell and elderly and immunocompromised people should ensure up-to-date vaccinations. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : COVID cases in India Covid Omicron Variant covid variants News18 Explains Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 25, 2025, 09:48 IST News explainers NB.1.8.1: Should We Be Worried About New Covid Variant In India? Symptoms Explained
WIRED
30-04-2025
- Health
- WIRED
RFK Jr.'s HHS Orders Lab Studying Deadly Infectious Diseases to Stop Research
Apr 30, 2025 5:53 PM NIAID's Integrated Research Facility is one of the few federal facilities charged with studying Ebola. Tuesday afternoon, all of its work was put on indefinite pause by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s department. People work inside a bio-level 4 lab research at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick, which has similar safety protocols as NIAID's Integrated Research Facility. Photograph: OLIVIER DOULIERY/GETTY IMAGES A research facility within the US National Institutes of Health that is tasked with studying Ebola and other deadly infectious diseases has been instructed by the Trump administration's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to stop research activities. According to an email viewed by WIRED, the Integrated Research Facility in Frederick, Maryland was told to stop all experimental work by April 29 at 5 pm. The facility is part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and is located at the US Army base Fort Detrick. It conducts research on the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases that are deemed 'high consequence'—those that pose significant risks to public health. It has 168 employees, including federal workers and contractors. The email, sent by Michael Holbrook, associate director for high containment at the Integrated Research Facility, says the lab is terminating studies on Lassa fever, SARS-Cov-2, and Eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, a rare but lethal mosquito-borne disease that has been reported in several Northern US states. 'We are collecting as many samples as is reasonable to ensure these studies are of value,' he says in the email. 'We have not been asked to euthanize any animals so these animals will continue to be managed.' Holbrook did not respond to an inquiry from WIRED. The email says representatives from the Department of Homeland Security were padlocking freezers in BSL-4 labs, those with the highest level of biosafety containment used for studying highly dangerous microbes. Only about a dozen BSL-4 labs exist in North America. These labs work with the viruses that cause Ebola, Lassa fever, and Marburg, types of hemorrhagic fevers. The Integrated Research Facility is one of few places in the world that is able to perform medical imaging on animals infected with BSL-4 agents. 'The sacrifice to research is immense,' says Gigi Kwik Gronvall, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, on the closure. 'If things are unused for a period of time, it will cost more money to get them ready to be used again.' The facility's director, Connie Schmaljohn, has also been placed on administrative leave, according to the email. Previously, Schmaljohn served as a senior research scientist at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. She has more than 200 research publications and her work has led to several clinical trials of first-of-their kind vaccines. Schmaljohn also did not respond to an inquiry from WIRED. In an emailed statement provided to WIRED, Bradley Moss, communication director for the office of research services at NIH, confirmed the halt in research activity. 'NIH has implemented a research pause—referred to as a safety stand-down—at the Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick. This decision follows identification and documentation of personnel issues involving contract staff that compromised the facility's safety culture, prompting this research pause. During the stand-down, no research will be conducted, and access will be limited to essential personnel only, to safeguard the facility and its resources.' Moss did not elaborate on the nature of the personnel issues, and said he did not know how long the research pause would last. Staff have not received an anticipated reopening date. The research pause is the latest disruption to federal science agencies after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced at the end of March that 10,000 people across the vast federal health agency would lose their jobs, including those at the National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The mass layoffs are part of a restructuring plan being carried out by President Donald Trump's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
NZ Herald
28-04-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
World Veterinary Day honours New Zealand's dedicated vet teams
They are also there at the toughest times, when people have to say goodbye to a beloved pet or when farmers are dealing with disease outbreaks. And it's always a team effort. 'Animal health takes a team' was the theme of this year's World Veterinary Day. It is important to shine a spotlight on the dynamic nature of veterinary services, which require co-operation and collaboration across various fields of expertise to address the diverse challenges in animal health and care. Veterinarians, vet nurses, vet technicians, clinic and hospital managers, among many others, are critical elements of animal health services, and in New Zealand, government and industry vets also have a vital role in animal welfare. In clinics and on farms, the whole team deals with big responsibilities and long hours to meet the needs of patients and their owners. As a result of this pressure, burnout is not uncommon. There are shortages of new graduates and experienced vets and other staff, particularly in rural areas. The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) has been working to support vets since 1923, and we also work closely with the representatives of vet nurses and other professionals. We provide resources and support for the mental and physical wellbeing of our members. We offer professional development and continuing education and career support from entry level to retirement and work to maintain high ethical standards. The NZVA has a focus on improving retention and recruitment, mentoring and coaching. While different vet team members have different roles, they all turn up every day because they are committed to animal health. And healthy animals mean healthier communities. This is expressed in the concept of One Health, acknowledging that animal health, human health and the health of the environment are inextricably linked. In the early 2000s, the One Health concept was envisaged and implemented by the World Organisation for Animal Health, in partnership with the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN. The aim was to create a collaborative global approach to understanding and mitigating the combined risks to human health, animal health and ecosystem health. A classic example of the critical importance of this is the origins of the SARS-Cov-2 global pandemic. An animal disease became a spill-over zoonotic event due to an environment that put infected animals and susceptible humans in close contact. Veterinary professionals' position in communities provides them a unique opportunity to become key One Health influencers. They have particular knowledge regarding animal health, animal welfare, zoonoses, biosecurity, food security and food safety and the ability to use that for the betterment of animal, human and environmental health. Your vet and team therefore have a role to play in your wellbeing, as well as that of your pets or livestock, and in the economy of our country.
