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Irish Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Everything you need to know about highly transmissible new Covid strain 'Nimbus'
A warning has been issued to the public over the new highly contagious 'Nimbus' strain of Covid, which has seen cases soar in Ireland. The Nimbus variant, also known as NB.1.8.1, has been identified in 22 countries so far and by late April was responsible for approximately 10.7 per cent of global infections, up from just 2.5 per cent a month earlier. First identified at the end of January, the variant is a descendant of the Omicron family of Covid sublineages, and has become increasingly prevalent throughout the spring in Europe, the Americas and the Western Pacific. The new strain has been declared a "variant under monitoring" by the World Health Organization (WHO), meaning that it could change the behaviours of the virus. Preliminary data suggest NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily and may partially evade certain immune defences, the WHO has said. As cases of the new 'Nimbus' variant surge, we break down everything you need to know about the new Covid strain. The new NB.1.8.1 strain has been declared a "variant under monitoring" by the World Health Organization (WHO), meaning that it could change the behaviours of the virus. Similar to previous Omicron subvariants, NB.1.8.1 contains spike protein mutations associated with increased transmissibility. However, no evidence suggests that NB.1.8.1 causes more severe illness or significantly evades vaccine-induced or natural immunity. NB.1.8.1 has been linked to significant increases in Covid-19 cases across several countries. Health officials have said Nimbus' spike protein modifications could increase its transmission capacity and partially reduce the neutralising efficacy of certain antibodies generated by previous infections, both of which would contribute to its spread. NB.1.8.1 has seen a rapid rise in Ireland in recent weeks. According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the proportion of sequenced Covid samples linked to NB.1.8.1 has jumped from just 3.7 per cent to 33.3 per cent in the last five weeks. Lara Herrero, a virologist from Griffith University in Australia, suspects that NB.1.8.1 spreads more easily than other variants, which may be behind the recent surge in cases in Ireland and around the globe. "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," Dr Herrero wrote last month in The Conversation. People in Ireland have been urged to stay home for two days if they display any signs of Covid. You should also avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid. Symptoms of the new Covid strain are reported to be broadly the same as earlier versions of the virus with a painful sore throat a possible key sign of the new variant. According to Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice, the NB.1.8.1 variant has a distinctive symptom, a severe sore throat known as a "razor blade sensation". Other signs of the new strain include common Covid symptoms like fever, muscle aches and congestion as well as redness in the back of the mouth and swollen neck glands. While previous strains largely caused cold and flu like symptoms, this new variant has been linked to gastrointestinal issues in some patients - which can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, bloating, constipation, abdominal pain and even heartburn. While symptoms are generally mild to moderate, individuals with pre-existing conditions, unvaccinated persons, people with weakened immunity and older adults are at a higher risk of serious illness. Those most vulnerable to Covid - such as the elderly, immunocompromised or those with pre-existing chronic conditions - have been urged to stay up to date with booster vaccinations to ensure they are protected against NB.1.8.1. Health officials say that current Covid jabs remain effective against this variant and protect anyone infected from severe illness. "Treatment for Nimbus generally aligns with that for other Covid-19 variants," says Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice. "Most individuals will recover at home with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications for symptom management. "For those with severe symptoms or high-risk complications, antiviral medications or monoclonal antibody treatments may be recommended. Always consult your GP for personalised advice." Despite a rise in cases, Dr. Sharad Joshi, Director & HOD, Pulmonology and Paediatric Pulmonology, Max Healthcare, has said "there's no need to panic". "To protect ourselves and those around us, it's important to practice good respiratory hygiene," said Dr. Joshi. "This includes wearing a mask, covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and maintaining a safe distance where possible. It may be wise to avoid non-essential travel, large gatherings, and outings for the time being."
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Why has there been a global surge of new Covid variant NB.1.8.1?
India is the latest country to report a surge in new Covid cases, as the latest variant, NB.1.8.1, spreads across the globe. Cases have now been reported in Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and China, while the UK Health Security Agency recorded the first 13 cases in England last week. But the true numbers are unlikely to be known, given the significant decrease in the number of people testing compared to the figures seen during the global pandemic five years ago. NB.1.8.1 stemmed from the Omicron variant and was first detected in January this year. It has quickly spread across China and Hong Kong, and has now been recorded in several states across the United States and Australia. By late April, NB.1.8.1 comprised about 10.7 per cent of submitted sequences globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This rose from just 2.5 per cent a month before. The WHO declared the NB.1.8.1 strain a 'variant under monitoring' on 23 May, which means scientists believe it could potentially affect the behaviour of the virus. Lara Herrero, a virologist from Griffith University in Australia, suspects that NB.1.8.1 spreads more easily than other variants. '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,' Dr Herrero wrote last month in The Conversation. Dr Chun Tang, GP at UK private healthcare centre Pall Mall Medical, said: 'NB.1.8.1 isn't too different from the Omicron variant, but it does have some tweaks to its spike protein, which might make it spread a bit more easily or slip past some of our existing immunity. 'That said, early signs suggest it doesn't seem to cause more serious illness, but of course, we're still learning more about it.' 'Its spread has been identified in around 22 countries,' said Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice. 'The WHO assesses the additional risk to the global public as currently low, and existing Covid-19 vaccines are considered effective in preventing severe disease.' However, the 'Nimbus' variant, as it has been dubbed, does appear to be more transmissible than previous strains, with notable increases reported in India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand, notes Dr Asif. Common symptoms of Nimbus include a severe sore throat, fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches and congestion. It has also been reported that some patients have experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhoea. Healthcare experts have stressed, however, that there is no evidence that the new strain is more deadly or serious than previous variants, and that current Covid vaccines are expected to remain effective and protect anyone infected from severe illness.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Why has there been a global surge of new Covid variant NB.1.8.1?
India is the latest country to report a surge in new Covid cases, as the latest variant, NB.1.8.1, spreads across the globe. Cases have now been reported in Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and China, while the UK Health Security Agency recorded the first 13 cases in England last week. But the true numbers are unlikely to be known, given the significant decrease in the number of people testing compared to the figures seen during the global pandemic five years ago. NB.1.8.1 stemmed from the Omicron variant and was first detected in January this year. It has quickly spread across China and Hong Kong, and has now been recorded in several states across the United States and Australia. By late April, NB.1.8.1 comprised about 10.7 per cent of submitted sequences globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This rose from just 2.5 per cent a month before. The WHO declared the NB.1.8.1 strain a 'variant under monitoring' on 23 May, which means scientists believe it could potentially affect the behaviour of the virus. Lara Herrero, a virologist from Griffith University in Australia, suspects that NB.1.8.1 spreads more easily than other variants. '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,' Dr Herrero wrote last month in The Conversation. Dr Chun Tang, GP at UK private healthcare centre Pall Mall Medical, said: 'NB.1.8.1 isn't too different from the Omicron variant, but it does have some tweaks to its spike protein, which might make it spread a bit more easily or slip past some of our existing immunity. 'That said, early signs suggest it doesn't seem to cause more serious illness, but of course, we're still learning more about it.' 'Its spread has been identified in around 22 countries,' said Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice. 'The WHO assesses the additional risk to the global public as currently low, and existing Covid-19 vaccines are considered effective in preventing severe disease.' However, the 'Nimbus' variant, as it has been dubbed, does appear to be more transmissible than previous strains, with notable increases reported in India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand, notes Dr Asif. Common symptoms of Nimbus include a severe sore throat, fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches and congestion. It has also been reported that some patients have experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhoea. Healthcare experts have stressed, however, that there is no evidence that the new strain is more deadly or serious than previous variants, and that current Covid vaccines are expected to remain effective and protect anyone infected from severe illness.
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Seven symptoms you need to look out for as doctors issue Covid warning
A new variant now spreading across Europe and multiple other continents could leave people with a host of unpleasant symptoms - that don't feel like classic Covid Health officials have warned that people could experience a host of nasty and unusual symptoms if they contract the latest Coronavirus strain. The new variant, named NB.1.8.1, was designated a "SARS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring (VUM)" on May 23, one of six emerging variants currently under WHO monitoring. As of this month, it has crossed multiple continents, with cases flagged in the UK and Ireland in Europe, and further afield in the US and Australia. People have been urged to stay at home for days on end if they find they have symptoms of the new Covid variant, which are a far cry from the classic flu-like signs of their predecessors. While early signs of Covid once included symptoms like a severe cough, sore throat and high fever, NB.1.8.1 is felt most acutely in the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of the variant include: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhoea Heartburn Bloating Constipation Abdominal pain Dr Lara Herrero, associate professor and virology research leader at Griffith University in Australia, explained in an article posted on The Conversation that the variant appears to be spreading faster than its predecessors. Of those, Dr Herrero said, it is most similar to subvariants of the Omicron lineage. She said: 'The evidence so far suggests NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily and may partially sidestep immunity from prior infections or vaccination. 'Reports suggest symptoms of NB.1.8.1 should align closely with other Omicron subvariants." The WHO has said the same, stating in its report that the variant has obtained a series of mutations that allow it both to spread easier and potentially evade antibody protections afforded to people by previous infections. The organisation explained: "Spike mutations at position 445 have been shown to enhance binding affinity to hACE2, which could increase the variant's transmissibility." It adds: "Mutations at position 435 shown to reduce the neutralisation potency of class 1 andclass 1/4 antibodies, and mutations at position 478 shown to enhance the evasion of Class 1/2 antibodies." People who exhibit any symptoms have been told to stay indoors by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) which advises people to "avoid contact with vulnerable people and stay at home if possible" for 48 hours.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Why has there been a global surge of new Covid variant NB.1.8.1?
India is the latest country to report a surge in new Covid cases, as the latest variant NB.1.8.1 spreads across the globe. Cases have now been reported in Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and China, while the UKHSA recorded the first 13 cases in England last week. However, the true numbers are unlikely to be known, given the significant decrease in the number of people testing compared to the figures seen during the global pandemic five years ago. NB.1.8.1 stemmed from the Omicron variant and was first detected in January this year. It has quickly spread across China and Hong Kong, and has now been recorded in several states across the United States and Australia. By late April, NB.1.8.1 comprised about 10.7 per cent of submitted sequences globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This rose from just 2.5 per cent one month before. The WHO declared the NB.1.8.1 strain a 'variant under monitoring' on 23 May, which means scientists believe it could potentially affect the behaviour of the virus. Lara Herrero, a virologist from Griffith University in Australia, suspects that NB.1.8.1 spreads more easily than other variants. '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,' Dr Herrero wrote last month in The Conversation. Dr Chun Tang, GP at Pall Mall Medical, added: 'NB.1.8.1 isn't too different from the Omicron variant, but it does have some tweaks to its spike protein, which might make it spread a bit more easily or slip past some of our existing immunity. 'That said, early signs suggest it doesn't seem to cause more serious illness, but of course, we're still learning more about it.' 'Its spread has been identified in around 22 countries,' said Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice. 'The WHO assesses the additional risk to the global public as currently low, and existing Covid-19 vaccines are considered effective in preventing severe disease.' However, Nimbus does appear to be more transmissible than previous variants, with notable increases reported in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand, notes Dr Asif. Common symptoms of the NB.1.8.1 variant include a severe sore throat. fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches and congestion. It has also been reported that some patients have experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhoea. Healthcare experts have stressed, however, that there is no evidence that the new strain is more deadly or serious than previous variants, and that current Covid vaccines are expected to remain effective and protect anyone infected from severe illness.
