A new variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 is circulating and may be more contagious than previous mutations. Known as NB.1.8.1, it has been dubbed “Nimbus” due to its severe sore throat symptom, described as feeling like “razor blades.” The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring this latest mutation as it makes up over 10% of cases in Asia and has now been detected in the US, Europe, and Canada.
According to a pre-print study, NB.1.8.1 has high “immune evasion” capabilities, making it a strong candidate for future dominance. Symptoms include severe sore throat, along with traditional flu-like symptoms such as congestion, fatigue, cough, fever, and muscle aches.
While the global risk of this variant is currently low, according to WHO, existing Covid-19 vaccines are still effective in preventing severe disease. However, experts warn that it could lead to a summer surge in cases. Dr. Janko Nikolich, a professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, notes that “it’s not going to allow us to forget about this disease.”
The recent roll back of Covid vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women has also raised concerns. Newborn babies are better protected against the virus if their mother receives the vaccine, says Dr. Steven J. Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “The science has not changed,” he adds.
Source: https://people.com/sore-throat-feels-like-razor-blades-new-covid-variant-nb-181-nimbus-11752661