Medical practitioners have been put on high alert after a new COVID-19 variant known as NB.1.81 continued its rapid spread across Asia and some parts of the US.
The NB.1.81 became the dominant strain in China earlier this year, leading to a surge in Covid-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations. It was first detected in the US between late March and early April among international travelers arriving at airports in California, Washington State, Virginia, and New York. According to the centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it has since spread to Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii.
About The New COVID-19 Variant
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), NB.1.8.1 is a SARS-CoV-2 strain that is being monitored and is becoming more prevalent worldwide. The agency is now tracking six of them.
The WHO reports that the first detection of NB 1.8.1 was made from samples taken in January 2025. It descends from the recombinant XDV lineage and is a sublineage of the Omicron variety. Recombinant refers to the creation of a new variety through the genetic blending of two or more pre-existing variants.
While the NB.1.8.1 does not seem to cause more severe sickness, it is spreading more quickly than previous variations, as seen in its number of hospitalisations so far. The new strain is currently found in 22 different countries, even though it is mostly prominent in Asia and the US at the moment.
The WHO reported a notable increase in its incidence from late March to April, although the numbers were still small. In just four weeks, Hong Kong reported 81 severe cases and 30 deaths associated with the variant, the majority of which involved individuals 65 years of age and older.
In mainland China, the number of hospitalizations and the proportion of ER patients who test positive for COVID-19 have more than doubled in recent weeks. Chinese authorities have, however, downplayed the variant’s seriousness despite the surge, while US authorities are understandably wary.
