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2d ago

New COVID-19 Variant NB.1.8.1 Under Watch as Global Cases Rise

The WHO has listed the variant as one to monitor, with surges reported in parts of Asia and cases detected in the US among international travelers.

Early studies suggest that NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily than other variants.
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Overview

  • The NB.1.8.1 variant, first identified in January 2025, has been associated with significant increases in COVID-19 cases in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
  • The US CDC has detected the variant in international travelers at airports and in isolated local cases across states like Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii.
  • The variant, part of the JN.1 group, is believed to be more transmissible due to its enhanced ability to bind to human cells, though it does not appear to cause more severe illness.
  • Despite the variant's presence, there has been no surge in positive COVID-19 tests in the US, with testing rates showing a recent decline.
  • Health officials are evaluating whether current COVID-19 vaccines should be updated to address NB.1.8.1 and other emerging variants for the upcoming fall and winter seasons.