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Irish Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
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:
Irish Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Covid symptom warning as new variant mimics common summer illness
Covid is surging again, and doctors are warning that a new strain could be easily mistaken for hay fever or a tummy bug - especially as summer symptoms spike. The variant, known as NB.1.8.1 and unofficially nicknamed Nimbus, has now been detected across Ireland. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently added it to its watch list after it jumped from just 2.5% of global infections in March to over 10% by late April. While there's no evidence the strain causes more severe illness, the WHO says it may be more contagious - and it's spreading fast. According to data from Ireland's Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), NB.1.8.1 accounted for 14% of all sequenced cases in Ireland over the past five weeks. The HSE body also reported a worrying rise in confirmed Covid cases across all variants - from 152 three weeks ago to 332 in the most recent week. Doctors are seeing a noticeable shift in symptoms compared to previous waves. 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." And with hay fever in full swing across Ireland - alongside "high" pollen counts forecast for all four provinces this weekend by Met Eireann - many people may not realise they actually have Covid. Both hay fever and Covid can cause sneezing, nasal congestion, headaches and even affect your sense of smell. But there are key differences. Dr Luke Powles, clinical director at Bupa, says a fever is a telltale sign. He explained: "Despite hay fever being more common during the spring and summer, some people are affected by pollen from March to September. This can make it harder to tell if sniffs and sneezes are being caused by an allergy or an infection such as coronavirus." He clarified that it is "not likely" for you to experience a raised temperature as a result of hay fever, adding: "Although a blocked nose due to hay fever can affect your smell or taste, completely losing your ability to taste or smell is more likely to result from coronavirus." The doctor stated that Covid tends to make people feel more unwell overall, explaining: "Hay fever symptoms aren't usually serious and, generally, you won't feel too ill." Irish people who find themselves unwell with gastrointestinal issues or hay fever 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:
Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
A new Covid variant Nimbus aka ‘razor blade throat' is on the rise. All you need to know
India is witnessing a fresh uptick in COVID-19 cases, with over 7,000 active infections and more than 70 deaths reported recently. While SARS-CoV-2 has become a recurring seasonal presence, much like influenza, a new variant, NB.1.8.1, nicknamed 'Nimbus', is drawing global attention for its unusually painful symptom: a sore throat that some are describing as feeling like 'razor blades.' Indian doctors confirm that a few patients have reported this distressing feature. Where has the Nimbus spread? The NB.1.8.1 variant has spread rapidly across China and Hong Kong, and cases have now been detected in several US states, including California, Washington, Virginia, and New York, according to an Associated Press report. Australia has also recorded cases. In the UK, 13 cases were confirmed in June, accompanied by a nearly 10 per cent rise in hospitalisations, The Independent reported. The variant and symptoms have also been detected in India. By mid-May, NB.1.8.1 accounted for nearly 11 per cent of all sequenced COVID samples globally, signaling a rapid rise in circulation. What are the symptoms? The most reported and defining symptom of the Nimbus variant is a severely painful sore throat. Other symptoms include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the variant does not appear to cause more severe illness than previous strains and is currently considered low risk. What has WHO said? The WHO has classified NB.1.8.1 as a 'variant under monitoring,' indicating that while it is spreading, it doesn't yet pose a major threat. The organisation has also confirmed that current COVID-19 vaccines remain effective in preventing severe outcomes linked to the variant. '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,' Dr Naveed Asif, a general practitioner at The London General Practice, told The Independent. Which vaccines offer protection? Vaccines approved by the US FDA – Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax – are expected to be effective against NB.1.8.1, especially because it belongs to the Omicron JN.1 lineage. An article by New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center stresses the importance of staying up-to-date with boosters. Those with underlying health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension should take extra precautions, as their immune response may not be as robust. Why Nimbus spreads faster Scientists believe NB.1.8.1 may spread more efficiently due to stronger binding with human cells. A Gavi report noted that the variant binds tightly to the ACE2 receptor, which SARS-CoV-2 uses to enter the body. 'Using lab-based models, researchers found NB.1.8.1 had the strongest binding affinity to the human ACE2 receptor of several variants tested,' said virologist Lara Herrero from Griffith University in The Conversation, 'suggesting it may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains.' Dr Chun Tang, a general practitioner at UK-based Pall Mall Medical, added that while the variant isn't drastically different from Omicron, 'some tweaks to its spike protein' may make it more transmissible or help it evade immunity. 'What sets NB.1.8.1 apart is how quickly it spreads,' said Dr Magdalena Sobieszczyk, Chief of Infectious Diseases at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia. 'It has a genetic advantage: mutations that make it easy for it to bind to receptors on human cells.' Prevention is key Precautions remain largely the same. Mask up in crowded places, cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing, wash and sanitise your hands regularly, and avoid stepping out if unwell. Ventilated spaces remain safer, especially during spikes in transmission. No, 'Nimbus' isn't a Harry Potter reference While some may associate 'Nimbus' with the magical broomstick from 'Harry Potter' or characters from 'Rick and Morty', the nickname actually refers to a type of cloud. Professor T Ryan Gregory of the University of Guelph in Canada explained to Gavi' that naming conventions like 'Nimbus' (NB.1.8.1) and 'Stratus' (XFG) help make emerging variants easier to track and communicate to the public.
The Independent
18-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
What's behind the global surge of new Covid variant NB.1.8.1 – and should you get vaccinated?
A new Covid variant, NB.1.8.1, is spreading across the world, with India and other countries in Asia reporting a surge in cases. In the UK, the Health Security Agency confirmed 13 cases of the variant in England in early June, while hospital admissions due to Covid have risen by almost 10 per cent. However, the true extent of the variant's spread remains uncertain, largely due to a significant reduction in Covid-19 testing compared to the peak of the global pandemic five years ago. What do we know about the variant NB.1.8.1? 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. Why has there been a surge in new cases? 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. What are the symptoms? 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. Should you get vaccinated? In the UK, the NHS advises that Covid vaccinations are currently unavailable to the public until the early winter roll out, and only to those who need extra protection from the virus. The NHS will get in touch to offer you the Covid vaccine if you are eligible.
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."
