NAIROBI — A new coronavirus variant is spreading fast and could soon push up infection rates worldwide, the World Health Organization has warned.
The variant, known as NB.1.8.1, has been added to the WHO’s list of variants under monitoring, following a spike in cases in several regions, including Southeast Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean, and parts of the Western Pacific.
In an alert issued this week, the UN health agency said the strain now accounts for more than 10 percent of global COVID-19 infections.
Though it is too early to determine its full impact, experts say the variant appears to spread more easily than earlier strains.
Symptoms linked to NB.1.8.1 are similar to previous versions of the virus: sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches, and nasal congestion remain common. Some people have also reported gastrointestinal symptoms, though these are less frequent.
“The rising trend of this new variant underscores the need for countries to stay alert,” the WHO said in its statement. “We must not let our guard down.”
The agency is urging national governments to remain vigilant, strengthen disease surveillance systems, and maintain readiness to respond to any surge in cases not only of COVID-19 but other respiratory illnesses as well.
While fatigue with the pandemic remains high around the world, public health officials say the virus continues to evolve and can still pose a risk, particularly for the elderly and immunocompromised.
“Member states should continue offering COVID-19 vaccines in line with WHO recommendations,” the agency advised, adding that vaccine coverage remains a key line of defence against severe disease and hospitalisation.
So far, there have been no official announcements of lockdowns or travel restrictions. However, several countries are reviewing their health protocols in light of the new strain.
Experts also point out that with cooler months approaching in many regions, the overlap of COVID-19 with seasonal flu could strain health services if precautions are not maintained.
The WHO continues to monitor NB.1.8.1 closely and is expected to issue a more detailed risk assessment in the coming days. In the meantime, health ministries are being encouraged to increase testing, continue reporting cases to global tracking systems, and prepare for possible case spikes.
Though the world has largely moved on from the height of the pandemic, the arrival of this new variant is a reminder that COVID-19 is not quite finished with us yet.
