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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has labelled the new strain NB. 1.8.1 as a "variant under monitoring" due to concerns over a sharp increase in cases. By the end of April 2025,
NB. 1.8.1 accounted for approximately 10.7% of all submitted sequences, a significant rise from just 2.5% four weeks prior. It is currently the dominant strain in Hong Kong and China. Lara
Herrero, Associate Professor and Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease at Griffith University, stated that due to multiple mutations, the new strain 'may infect cells more
efficiently than earlier strains'. This strain has been detected in several countries, including Australia and the US, and it is suspected to be present in the UK as well. However,
crucially, the WHO has not yet found any evidence suggesting it causes more severe disease compared to other variants. Reports suggest symptoms of NB.1.8. 1 should align closely with other
Omicron subvariants. Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases. A report from
the World Health Organisation warned: "SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, and between January and May 2025, there were shifts in global SARS-CoV-2 variant dynamics. At the beginning of
the year, the most prevalent variant tracked by WHO at the global level was XEC, followed by KP.3.1.1." The WHO report stated: "In February, circulation of XEC began to decline
while that of LP.8.1 increased, with the latter becoming the most detected variant in mid-March. Since mid-April, the circulation of LP.8.1 has been slightly declining as NB.1.8.1 is
increasingly being detected." The new strain is being detected in significant numbers in the Eastern Mediterranean, which includes popular tourist destination Egypt, as well as in South
East Asia, including Thailand and the Maldives. According to the WHO, recent increases have also been observed in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The report advises: " WHO
recommends that countries remain vigilant, adapt to evolving epidemiological trends, and leverage COVID-19 management strategies to strengthen systems for all respiratory disease threats.
Member States should continue offering COVID-19 vaccines in line with WHO recommendations. "Based on the current risk assessment of this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or
trade restrictions."