Rising COVID-19 Variant NB.1.8.1 Fueling Increase in China Infections, Expanding in the U.S.
A new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, named NB.1.8.1, has emerged and is spreading, causing concerns globally, including in the United States. This variant, which has fueled COVID-19 surges in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, is now present in several U.S. states.
Notably, the XEC and LF.7 variants, which were previously dominant, are currently receding in notable regions. The LP.8.1 variant, though still prevalent, is facing competition from the NB.1.8.1 and XFG variants. Both NB.1.8.1 and XFG have been spreading at similar rates in various parts of the world, with the former becoming dominant in Hong Kong and China while the latter has gained a foothold in North America and Europe.
NB.1.8.1 has led to surges in emergency room visits and hospitalizations in the locations where it has taken hold, prompting measures like urging residents to wear masks in crowded public areas in some regions. While it's not yet clear whether NB.1.8.1 is more likely to cause severe health outcomes, it is crucial to monitor its progression closely.
The U.S., which lacks a comprehensive surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2, has identified the NB.1.8.1 variant incidentally through testing conducted in laboratories and reported to public health officials. As of now, the number of reported sequences of this variant within the U.S. is limited.
The impact of NB.1.8.1 in the U.S. is being closely monitored, and health authorities are prepared to respond promptly if necessary. The COVID-19 vaccines available currently may provide some protection against NB.1.8.1, but enhanced protection would be gained from a vaccine specifically targeting a more recent variant like LP.8.1, with which NB.1.8.1 shares similarities.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently discussing potential rollbacks in vaccine approval, raising concerns about increased vulnerability to the latest circulating variants. However, the federal government is not providing extensive guidance on how to address the NB.1.8.1 variant or COVID-19 in general. Long-term strategies for managing COVID-19 and long COVID remain elusive, despite the passage of five years since the pandemic began.
SARS-CoV-2 may not be the same threat it was in 2020 and 2021 due to immune system familiarity with the virus, but it has not become harmless. As always, it is essential to remain vigilant and follow health authorities' guidance.
- The emergence of the NB.1.8.1 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has sparked concerns globally, including in the United States, and is a subject of interest in the realm of science and medical-conditions, particularly within health-and-wellness discourse.
- In health authority discussions about the NB.1.8.1 variant, they emphasize the importance of monitoring its progression closely due to its potential impact, with the variant causing surges in emergency room visits and hospitalizations in areas where it has taken hold, and the U.S. currently observing limited reported sequences of this variant.
