
Why the New Covid Variant NB.1.8.1 is Making Headlines Worldwide!
2025-06-10
Author: Wei Ling
A startling rise in Covid cases has been reported across the globe, and the emerging variant NB.1.8.1 is at the center of it all. While India grapples with this new wave, countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and China are also seeing a notable uptick in infections. Just last week, the UK Health Security Agency confirmed 13 cases in England, raising alarms further.
But here's the twist—actual numbers may be far higher than reported due to a significant drop in testing compared to the peak of the pandemic five years ago.
What is NB.1.8.1?
Originating from the notorious Omicron variant, NB.1.8.1 was first identified in January 2023. It has swiftly spread throughout China, Hong Kong, and is now popping up in various states in both the U.S. and Australia. The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that by late April, NB.1.8.1 made up a staggering 10.7% of global sequences, a substantial leap from just 2.5% the month before.
On May 23, the WHO classified NB.1.8.1 as a 'variant under monitoring,' indicating that scientists believe this variant could alter the virus's behavior.
Why the Rise in Cases?
Virologist Lara Herrero from Griffith University suspects that NB.1.8.1 could be more contagious than its predecessors. According to her research, lab tests indicated that this variant has the strongest binding affinity to the human ACE2 receptor among all variants studied, hinting at its ability to infect cells more efficiently.
Dr. Chun Tang, a GP at the UK-based Pall Mall Medical, notes that while NB.1.8.1 shares similarities with Omicron, it features tweaks in its spike protein that may enhance its ability to spread or evade existing immunity. Early observations suggest it doesn’t lead to more severe illness, but the medical community is still in the learning phase.
Dr. Naveed Asif, a GP at The London General Practice, reported that NB.1.8.1 has already been detected in around 22 countries. Fortunately, the WHO currently assesses the global risk as low and maintains that existing Covid-19 vaccines are still effective against severe disease.
Symptoms to Watch For!
Common symptoms associated with NB.1.8.1 include a severe sore throat, fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches, and nasal congestion. Some patients have also reported gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea.
Experts urge the public to remain vigilant but reassured—the current evidence indicates that the new strain is neither deadlier nor more severe than its predecessors, and the vaccinations remain a robust defense against serious outcomes.