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Dublin Live
2 days ago
- Health
- Dublin Live
Fast-spreading new Covid variant with unusual symptoms confirmed in Ireland
A fresh Covid variant sporting atypical signs has been spotted in Ireland, with experts flagging its swift global transmission. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre of Ireland has identified 14 instances of the new strain, dubbed NB. 1.8.1, within the past five weeks. Although the figures in Ireland remain modest, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is raising concerns as this variant now represents over 10% of worldwide Covid cases, reports the Irish Mirror. The WHO has classified NB. 1.81 as a 'variant under monitoring' due to its speedy spread and possible resistance to immunity from previous infections or vaccinations. The strain is currently predominant in Hong Kong and China, and cases have appeared in Australia, the US and various holiday hotspots such as Egypt, Thailand, and the Maldives. WHO statistics indicate that in a matter of four weeks, the proportion of this variant among all submitted global sequences has surged from 2.5% to 10.7%, triggering heightened international alarm. A representative for the WHO said: "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." Experts are flagging that the new NB. 1.8.1 variant boasts 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." Diverging from the well-known Covid symptoms such as fever, cough, and tiredness, the latest variant seems to be causing gastrointestinal issues in certain patients – marking a departure from the usual respiratory symptoms associated with previous strains. Dr Herrero noted: "Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases." These gastrointestinal symptoms can span from abdominal pain and bloating to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and indigestion. Amidst this development, the HSE is advising people in Ireland to stay vigilant about the extensive list of Covid symptoms, which now reportedly includes: fever (high temperature - 38C or above) - including having chills dry cough fatigue (tiredness) loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this could mean they're completely gone or just different to normal nasal congestion (runny or blocked nose) conjunctivitis (also known as red eye or pink eye) sore throat headache muscle or joint pain (aches and pains) different types of skin rash nausea or vomiting diarrhoea chills dizziness shortness of breath or breathing difficulties loss of appetite confusion pain or pressure in the chest The current guidance for those showing signs of Covid in Ireland is to remain isolated at home until you're symptom-free for 48 hours. It's also crucial to steer clear of others, particularly those at increased risk from Covid. Whilst the WHO calls for continued vigilance among nations, they've stopped short of recommending restrictions on travel or trade, communicating: "Based on the current risk assessment of this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or trade restrictions." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland confirms new Covid variant with strange symptoms that's spreading fast
A new Covid variant with unusual symptoms has been confirmed in Ireland, with experts warning it is spreading rapidly across the globe. Ireland's Health Protection Surveillance Centre has reported 14 cases of the strain, named NB.1.8.1, in the last five weeks. While numbers here remain low, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has sounded the alarm as the variant now accounts for more than 10% of global Covid infections. NB.1.8.1 has been officially designated a 'variant under monitoring' by the WHO due to its rapid rise and the potential to evade immunity from previous infections or vaccines. It is already the dominant strain in Hong Kong and China, and has been detected in Australia, the US and across popular holiday destinations including Egypt, Thailand and the Maldives. According to WHO data, the strain has jumped from 2.5% to 10.7% of submitted global sequences in just four weeks, which has prompted growing international concern. A WHO spokesperson said: "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." Experts say NB.1.8.1 carries multiple mutations that "may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains". Dr Lara Herrero, Associate Professor and Virology Research Leader at Griffith University, explained: "It's possible a person infected with NB.1.8.1 may be more likely to pass the virus on to someone else, compared to earlier variants. The evidence so far suggests NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily and may partially sidestep immunity from prior infections or vaccination. These factors could explain its rise in sequencing data. "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." While we are all familiar with the classic Covid signs like fever, cough and fatigue, the new variant is reported to trigger gastrointestinal symptoms in some patients - a strange shift from the typical respiratory focus of earlier strains. Dr Herrero added: "Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases." Gastrointestinal symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and heartburn. This comes as the HSE has reminded the Irish public to be aware of the wide range of Covid symptoms, which it says now include: If you have any symptoms of Covid, Ireland's current advice is to stay at home until 48 hours after the symptoms are mostly or fully gone. You should also avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid. The WHO has urged countries to stay alert but has not recommended any travel or trade restrictions at this stage, stating: "Based on the current risk assessment of this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or trade restrictions."
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
WHO alert as infectious new Covid strain spreads rapidly
The World Health Organisation has issued an alert after a new strain of Covid-19 was found to be spreading throughout multiple countries, including a number of popular holiday hotspots. The WHO warned the new variant, NB.1.8.1, is now responsible for more than 10 per cent of all infections and has been labelled a 'variant under monitoring', with an expert explaining the strain appears to spread more easily than previous variants. By the end of April, NB.1.8.1 comprised roughly 10.7 per cent of all submitted sequences – up from just 2.5 per cent four weeks before, the Mirror UK reports. Lara Herrero Associate Professor and Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease, at Griffith University said the new strain 'may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains' due to multiple mutations. The strain has been detected in multiple countries, including Australia, the US, as well as in the Eastern Mediterranean and South East Asia. Professor Herrero said: "It's possible a person infected with NB.1.8.1 may be more likely to pass the virus on to someone else, compared to earlier variants. The evidence so far suggests NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily and may partially sidestep immunity from prior infections or vaccination. These factors could explain its rise in sequencing data. "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. "Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases." A WHO report reads: "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." The health organisation also said there have been recent increases observed in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. The report reads: "WHO recommends that countries remain vigilant, adapt to evolving epidemiological trends, and leverage Covid-19 management strategies to strengthen systems for all respiratory disease threats. Member States should continue offering Covid-19 vaccines in line with WHO recommendations. "Based on the current risk assessment of this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or trade restrictions."
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Highly infectious new Covid strain hits three holiday hotspots as WHO issues alert
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 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning over a surge in Covid cases, with the new variant now accounting for more than 10 percent of all infections. The WHO has labelled the new strain NB. 1.8. 1 as a 'variant under monitoring' due to concerns about the sharp increase in cases. By the end of April 2025, NB. 1.8.1 made up approximately 10.7 percent of all submitted sequences – a significant rise from just 2.5% four weeks prior. It is already the dominant strain in Hong Kong and China. Lara Herrero, Associate Professor and Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease at Griffith University, stated that thanks to multiple mutations, the new strain 'may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains', reports the Mirror. The strain has been identified in several countries, including Australia, the US and potentially the UK. "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. "Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases." According to a WHO report: "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." The region with the highest reported cases is the Eastern Mediterranean, including popular tourist spots like Egypt, as well as Southeast Asia, specifically in Thailand and the Maldives. However, The WHO said recent increases have also been observed in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. WHO officials recommend that countries remain vigilant, adapt to evolving epidemiological trends, and leverage COVID-19 management strategies to strengthen systems for all respiratory disease threats. Member States should continue offering COVID-19 vaccines in line with WHO recommendations." The recommendations also stated that "Based on the current risk assessment of this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or trade restrictions."
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Warning as new Covid strain causes spike in disease in holiday hotspots
Warning as new Covid strain causes spike in disease in holiday hotspots An expert has explained the symptoms as the World Health Organisation redesignates the new variant A positive Covid test The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned over a surge in Covid cases with a new variant now responsible for more than 10 per cent of all infections. The WHO has designated the new strain NB.1.8.1 as a 'variant under monitoring' amid concern about the sharp rise in cases. By late April 2025, NB.1.8.1 comprised roughly 10.7% of all submitted sequences – up from just 2.5% four weeks before. It is already the dominant strain in Hong Kong and China. Lara Herrero Associate Professor and Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease, at Griffith University said thanks to multiple mutations the new strain 'may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains'. The strain has been detected in multiple countries, including Australia, the US and possibly the UK. Professor Herrero said: "It's possible a person infected with NB.1.8.1 may be more likely to pass the virus on to someone else, compared to earlier variants. The evidence so far suggests NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily and may partially sidestep immunity from prior infections or vaccination. These factors could explain its rise in sequencing data. "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. "Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases." A WHO report reads: "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." The new strain is being found in large numbers in the Eastern Mediterranean, an area including the tourist destination of Egypt. It is also being found in South East Asia - including in Thailand and the Maldives. Article continues below The WHO said recent increases have also been observed in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. The report reads: "WHO recommends that countries remain vigilant, adapt to evolving epidemiological trends, and leverage COVID-19 management strategies to strengthen systems for all respiratory disease threats. Member States should continue offering COVID-19 vaccines in line with WHO recommendations. "Based on the current risk assessment of this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or trade restrictions."
