WHO Designates SARS-CoV-2 New Variant NB.1.8.1 as Variant Under Monitoring as Infections and Hospitalizations Rise Globally
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 25, 2025 12 hours, 30 minutes ago
Medical News: Emergence of NB.1.8.1 Sparks Global Concern
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the SARS-CoV-2 variant NB.1.8.1 as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) amid a surge in global COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. This variant has rapidly spread to multiple countries, including the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and parts of Europe. Its dominance in China and rising presence in Asia have prompted health authorities to intensify surveillance and public health measures to curb its spread.
https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/documents/epp/tracking-sars-cov-2/23052025_nb.1.8.1_ire.pdf
WHO Designates SARS-CoV-2 New Variant NB.1.8.1 as Variant Under Monitoring as Infections and
Hospitalizations Rise Globally
Rapid Rise in Cases
This
Medical News report underscores the alarming increase in COVID-19 cases linked to NB.1.8.1. In Hong Kong, authorities report the highest COVID-19 levels in over a year, driven by a significant uptick in emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Taiwan has seen a 78% surge in emergency room admissions in a single week, alongside increased severe cases and deaths. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detected NB.1.8.1 through airport screenings in states like California, Washington, Virginia, and New York, with additional cases reported in Ohio and Rhode Island.
Why NB.1.8.1 Raises Concerns
Preliminary research from China suggests NB.1.8.1, a descendant of the XDV lineage, may be more transmissible due to its enhanced ability to bind to human cells. It also appears to evade immunity more effectively than other variants and its infectiousness has fueled outbreaks across Asia. NB.1.8.1 also exhibits rapid viral replication rates in human host, causing high viral loads. Its rapid spread has strained healthcare systems in affected regions. The WHO’s VUM designation signals the need for close monitoring to assess its potential impact on global health.
Vaccine Efficacy and Public Health Response
Health officials are concerned about the efficacy of the existing vaccines against the new strain. During a recent FDA advisory meeting, vaccine manufacturers Pfizer and Moderna presented data suggesting updated vaccines targeting the LP.8.1 variant could be effective.
https://www.who.int/news/item/15-05-2025-statement-on-the-antigen-composition-of-covid-19-vaccines
The WHO advises using monovalent JN.1 or KP.2 vaccines, with LP.8.1 as a viable alternative, and urges high-risk groups to stay up-to-date with vaccinations. (Though there is very little evidence that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines actually work and are in reality causing more long-term dam
age to the human body!). In response to rising cases, Hong Kong and Taiwan have reinstated mask recommendations for public transport and crowded areas.
Global Surveillance and Future Outlook
The rapid spread of NB.1.8.1 underscores the importance of global genomic surveillance. The CDC is collaborating with international partners to track the variant’s trajectory, though limited U.S. sequencing data has hindered precise estimates of its prevalence. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, experts warn that new variants could emerge from chronic infections in immunocompromised patients, driving unpredictable waves. Continued monitoring, timely vaccine updates, and public adherence to preventive measures will be critical to mitigating the impact of NB.1.8.1 and future variants.
For the latest on the NB.1.8.1 variant, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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