Nasty symptoms of new Covid variant as 180 people hit in latest wave
Covid is creeping back - and a new strain now sweeping across Ireland is bringing nasty and unexpected symptoms that some people could easily mistake for other illnesses.
The variant, officially named NB.1.8.1 but dubbed 'Nimbus', has now been detected in Ireland and is spreading fast, with health officials reporting that cases are climbing across the country.
According to Ireland's Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), confirmed Covid cases across all variants rose sharply from 152 two weeks ago to 332 in the past week, a jump of 180 new cases in the last fortnight.
Of those sequenced, Nimbus made up 14% of recent cases and has now been added to the World Health Organization's (WHO) watchlist, after global numbers went from just 2.5% in March to over 10% by late April.
While the new strain doesn't appear to cause more severe illness, experts fear it may be more contagious, and its symptoms are catching many people off guard.
While older variants typically presented like a bad cold or flu, NB.1.8.1 is now being linked to stomach-related issues, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea constipation, bloating, abdominal pain and even heartburn.
Dr Lara Herrero, Associate Professor and Virology Research Leader at Griffith University, explained: "Common symptoms [of NB.1.8.1] include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases."
People in Ireland who find themselves unwell with gastrointestinal issues may actually have Covid, according to the HSE.
Ireland's public health guidelines remain the same: If you have any symptoms of Covid, 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 HSE is reminding the public of the wide range of Covid symptoms to look out for. These include:
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Irish Times
a day ago
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HSE launches urgent inquiry after two new ambulances catch fire
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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
The Vapening: ‘In my school, I'd be in the minority for not vaping'
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They have successfully prosecuted 51 shops and businesses for selling vapes and tobacco products to under-18s last year. This included eight prosecutions specifically for vapes. Some shops were identified during sting operations when the HSE worked with teenage 'mystery shoppers' who tested the ban. Over the last two years, 22 prohibition orders were served for selling vapes with illegal nicotine content. Some 3,371 e-cigarettes and refill containers were removed. Last year, two businesses were successfully prosecuted in district courts and in 2022 so was an online business selling vapes from a private dwelling. Some 19 destruction orders were applied during 2022 and 2023. In 2023 they also seized 37.8 tonnes of illegal vapes or refills at ports and airports working with Customs and Revenue. Last year they seized 26.6 tonnes. 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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
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