Researcher Warns That News SARS-CoV-2 Variant NB.1.8.1 is Rapidly Spreading Across Multiple Countries!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 03, 2025 9 months, 4 weeks, 2 days, 56 minutes ago
Medical News: A leading researcher, Dr Xu Zou from Tsinghua University in China, who has been involved in identifying and monitoring SARS-CoV-2 variants in the last few years is warning that the new SARS-CoV-2 variant NB.1.8.1 exhibits high growth potential and could easily spread globally in a matter of time.
Researcher Warns That News SARS-CoV-2 Variant NB.1.8.1 is Rapidly Spreading Across Multiple Countries
The NB.1.8.1 variant, is making headlines as it spreads rapidly across the globe, showing a "monster-like" growth trajectory in several countries. According to a recent post by Dr Xu Zou on X, this variant has seen significant increases in prevalence. In South Korea, NB.1.8.1 surged from 6% in March to 20% by early April 2025. Singapore reported a rise from 6% in March to 22% after mid-April, while Thailand saw an alarming 55% dominance in April. Queensland, Australia, also noted a jump from 1% in early March to 15% after April 10, with Western Australia reaching around 10%.
https://x.com/xz_keg/status/1918140228038218062
Dominance in Hong Kong and Taiwan
This
Medical News report highlights NB.1.8.1’s dominance in certain regions, particularly Hong Kong and Taiwan, where it now accounts for over 70% of cases. However, its growth appears slower in mainland China and Japan, where data remains limited. Xu Zou notes this discrepancy, suggesting potential regional differences in transmission dynamics. The variant, evolved from NB.1 with a spike protein mimicking XEC but built on an XDV backbone, has a 90% weekly growth advantage, as seen in its rapid takeover in Hong Kong from 0% to nearly 100% in just two months.
Growth Advantage Sparks Global Concern
NB.1.8.1’s growth advantage over other variants, such as XEC.25.1 and LP.8.1, raises concerns about its potential to drive new waves of infections. While it does not currently show increased pathogenicity compared to other Omicron variants, its ability to outcompete other strains is notable. Experts emphasize the need for sustained monitoring, especially as antibodies from the JN.1 vaccine may not neutralize NB.1.8.1 effectively.
What’s Next for Public Health?
As NB.1.8.1 continues to spread, global health authorities, including the WHO’s CoViNet, are urged to enhance surveillance and data sharing. The variant’s trajectory underscores the ongoing challenge of managing SARS-CoV-2 evolution, prompting calls for updated vaccines and public health measures to curb its impact.
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