COVID variant NB.1.8.1 spreading in U.S.: is it more dangerous, do vaccines work, and what's the fatality rate?

A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, is making its way into the United States after causing a surge in cases in parts of Asia.

Health officials are closely monitoring the situation as scientists investigate whether it is more contagious or severe, and whether current vaccines provide adequate protection.


COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1, which is dominant in China, is spreading to the United States via international travellers.

Officials are urging caution as global and national health systems prepare for the latest chapter of the pandemic.

Where are cases of NB.1.8.1 detected in the U.S.?

Multiple cases of the novel COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1, which has been connected to a significant spike in the virus in China, have been found through the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's airport screening program, as per a report by CBS News.

Records submitted by the CDC's airport testing partner Ginkgo Bioworks show that cases associated with the NB.1.8.1 variant have been reported in arriving international travellers at airports in California, Washington state, Virginia, and the New York City area.

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The variant, which is a descendant of the JN.1 lineage, has caused a dramatic increase in cases in China.

The sequencing results, which were made public on the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) virus database in recent weeks, reveal that the cases are caused by travellers from a variety of nations, including China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, France, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, and Vietnam.

Apart from the cases at the airport, health officials in other states, such as Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii, have now reported cases of NB.1.8.1.

Late March and early April are when the earliest cases occurred in California and Washington state.

The variant, which is currently prevalent in China and is becoming more prevalent in other parts of Asia, has been the subject of intense scrutiny from experts.

Following a "significant increase" in reported ER visits and hospitalisations due to COVID-19, Hong Kong officials report that the city's COVID-19 rates have reached their worst levels in at least a year.

Should people be worried about another major COVID wave?

Although Hong Kong officials claim there is no proof the variant, which is a descendant of the virus's XDV lineage, is more serious, they have started to advise locals to wear masks in crowded areas and on public transit as the number of cases has increased.

Taiwanese health officials have also noted an increase in ER visits, serious illnesses, and fatalities.

There is no indication that NB.1.8.1 is more harmful than earlier strains. According to early data from Chinese researchers, the NB.1.8.1 variant is not more adept at avoiding the immune system than other strains that are becoming more prevalent, but it is more capable of attaching itself to human cells, which may indicate that it is more contagious.

Are vaccines being updated to fight this new strain?

Only one strain, a variation known as XFC, has been substantially expanding in the United States, according to CDC and FDA representatives who testified before the panel.

The variation has also drawn attention from US health authorities as the FDA decides which strain to target with the updated COVID vaccines this year.

Although opinions differed on the specific subvariant to be selected, independent experts unanimously supported updating the jabs to target a member of the JN.1 family, which is the same lineage as NB.1.8.1, at a recent advisory meeting, as per a report by CBS News.

FAQs

Is NB.1.8.1 more dangerous than previous COVID variants?
Not so far, it does not appear to be more severe, but it may spread more quickly.

Will the current vaccines protect against NB.1.8.1?
Early data suggests that updated vaccines targeting related variants such as LP.8.1 may be beneficial.