The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve with new variants emerging, and the latest is NB.1.8.1. This variant has been causing surges in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and is now spreading in the US. The XEC variant is largely on its way out, except for Japan, while LF.7 has peaked. The dominant variant LP.8.1 was first detected in September 2024 and has been spreading globally.
A new variant, XFG, has emerged, a recombinant of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 variants. Both NB.1.8.1 and XFG have been spreading at similar rates, but in different parts of the world. The NB.1.8.1 variant seems to connect to human cells more readily than XFG, while XFG evades immune protection better.
The NB.1.8.1 variant has led to surges in ER visits and hospitalizations in China and Hong Kong, with authorities urging residents to wear face masks in affected areas. However, the US lacks a comprehensive surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2, making it difficult to track new variants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s airport screening program has detected NB.1.8.1 cases in various states.
The emergence of NB.1.8.1 raises concerns about vaccination effectiveness, particularly with the current vaccines targeting LP.8.1. A more recent variant like LP.8.1 would provide better protection against NB.1.8.1. The US government’s response to this new variant is limited, with some politicians politicizing COVID-19 control measures and the FDA considering rolling back vaccine approval to specific age groups.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2025/05/25/new-covid-19-variant-nb181-causes-surge-in-china-spreading-in-us