#nb.1.8.1

[dduane]

A New COVID Variant Is Here, And It's More Transmissible — Here Are The Signs And Symptoms

A new COVID variant, known as NB.1.8.1, has made landfall in the United States, and it's more transmissible than other variants.

Mask up and stay alert.

[willowreader]

Eight things you need to know about the new “Nimbus” and “Stratus” COVID-19 variants

The NB.1.8.1 and XFG sub-variants are rapidly spreading and competing for global dominance.

The Covid tests are not picking up this strain right away, and you have to test numerous times. So if you are sick with a sore throat assume you have Covid.

[tomorrowusa]

What to Know About the New COVID-19 Variant NB.1.8.1

NB.1.8.1 has been surging in China and has now been detected in several U.S. states.

COVID-19 has not gone away. It keeps mutating into new variants, and NB.1.8.1 is one we should be concerned about.

Public-health experts have warned for months that the COVID-19 virus isn’t gone—and, far from waning, SARS-CoV-2 has mutated yet again into a new variant. Called NB.1.8.1, it's causing a spike in infections in China. A few cases also recently appeared in the U.S. when people arriving at airports tested positive, according to a statement from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The World Health Organization has also designated it as a “variant under monitoring.” [ ... ] Symptoms are similar to those linked to other COVID-19 strains and include sore throat, fever, cough, and fatigue. So far, based on data from other countries where cases have been reported, the variant does not seem to cause more severe disease—but genetically, it is equipped with changes that allow it be infect cells more efficiently. That means it could spread more easily among people.

So it's average severity for COVID but can apparently be spread more easily.

Unfortunately, "Worm Brain" RFK Jr. is making it more difficult to get vaccinated.

Getting vaccinated, however, may become harder for other groups. In a series of unusual moves, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the CDC will no longer recommend a yearly shot for healthy children and pregnant women; the FDA recently said it will not recommend it for healthy adults until vaccine makers conduct additional studies to prove its safety and effectiveness in this population. These changes mean that insurers may no longer cover the shot, and people who want to get vaccinated may have to pay out of pocket.

The Guardian adds this.

Like its predecessors, NB.1.8.1 carries mutations in the spike protein. This is the protein on the surface of the virus that allows it to infect us – specifically via the ACE2 receptors, a “doorway” to our cells. The mutations include T22N, F59S, G184S, A435S, V445H, and T478I. It’s early days for this variant, so we don’t have much data on what these changes mean yet. But a recent preprint (a study that has not yet been peer-reviewed) offers some clues about why NB.1.8.1 may be gathering traction. Using lab-based models, researchers found NB.1.8.1 had the strongest binding affinity to the human ACE2 receptor of several variants tested – suggesting it may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains.

So get the latest booster while it's still free. And it probably wouldn't hurt to wear a face mask when in crowded places like public transit.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Why has there been a global surge of new Covid variant NB.1.8.1?

Scientists and experts believe the ‘Nimbus’ strain is more transmissible than previous variants

Also preserved in our archive

[thepastisalreadywritten]

WHO: GLOBAL COVID-19 CASES ARE INCREASING AS NEW VARIANT EMERGES

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a global rise in COVID-19 cases, with the test positivity rate climbing to 11%, a level not seen since July 2024.

Coinciding with this uptick of cases is the emergence of a new variant known as NB.1.8.1, a descendant of Omicron, which has been classified as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM).

Since it was first identified earlier this year, cases have been reported in several countries, particularly in travelers from China, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.

In China, NB.1.8.1 has become the dominant strain and is linked to increasing emergency room visits and hospital admissions.

According to Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control, NB.1.8.1 shows strong immune-evasion capabilities, making it more transmissible than earlier variants.

Despite the surge in nearby countries such as China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore, where some schools have returned to online learning, the Philippines’ COVID-19 situation remains stable, according to local health authorities.

While the WHO continues to assess the global public health risk as low, and current vaccines are expected to remain effective, everyone is encouraged to stay alert, practice good hygiene, and take precautions to protect their health.

[covid-safer-hotties]

WHO warns of rising COVID activity in 3 regions

The increase in activity is seen in the Western Pacific, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Mediterranean regions.

Also preserved in our archive

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Virus lacks clear seasonality The WHO also said though the increase in activity is similar to what was seen last year, there still lacks a clear seasonality to COVID-19 virus dynamics. As of last week, the NB.1.8.1 variant represents 10.7% of the globally available sequences. “While the percentage remains low, this presents a significant rise from 2.5% four weeks prior,” the authors said.

[willowreader]

New COVID variant is spreading. Don’t underestimate it, experts say.

NB.1.8.1 has been designated a COVID-19 variant under monitoring by the World Health Organization.

Apparently this variant takes a few days to show up on a rapid test. If you are sick and have a sore throat assume it is Covid. Wear a mask and protect others.

[verschlimmbesserung]