United States: A COVID offshoot, barely whispered of mere months back, has now emerged as a prime contender in America’s viral spread—poised just beneath the dominant strain.
NB.1.8.1, the variant in question, crept quietly into detection earlier this year, first spotted in China during January’s dusk. Fast forward to June, and it’s estimated to be fueling nearly 37% of new infections in the U.S., as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The World Health Organization (WHO), while acknowledging its escalation, graded the variant’s global threat as modest. Current jabs, they declared, should still defend well against serious illness brought on by NB.1.8.1.
So, What Is NB.1.8.1 Exactly?
NB.1.8.1 represents an evolutionary echo of the LP.8.1 lineage—an already prevailing viral thread. Subhash Verma, a microbiology sage from the University of Nevada, Reno, described it as a “refined iteration” of its predecessor when speaking to USA TODAY.
The WHO’s mid-May statistics marked NB.1.8.1 as accounting for 10.7% of the world’s documented COVID cases at that time. Its stealth isn’t just in its speed but also in its knack for side-stepping antibodies—those built by both vaccine and natural exposure.
Verma emphasized:
“NB.1.8.1’s agility in sneaking past immune walls and its nimbleness in transmission demand our vigilance.”
How Widespread Is NB.1.8.1 Now?
From the tail end of May into early June, the CDC’s Nowcast painted a telling tableau:
- LP.8.1 (Omicron): 38%
- NB.1.8.1: 37%
- XFG: 8%
- XFC: 7%
- LF.7.9: 4%
This meteoric rise began subtly—0% in March, climbing to 2% by April, 5% in early May, and peaking at 15% by month’s end, before this 37% ascent.
What Symptoms Come with NB.1.8.1?
The CDC hasn’t yet etched distinct symptoms for this variant, but signs mirror prior strains. That said, a particularly grueling sensation—dubbed “razor blade throat”—has surfaced repeatedly among sufferers, evoking sharp, raw pain with every swallow.
Widely reported by media outlets like the LA Times, Fox News, and SF Gate, social platforms, too, are flooded with testimonials describing this unique discomfort.
Standard signs of COVID, as chronicled by the CDC, include:
- Fever or chills
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Runny or blocked nose
- Muscle pains
- Headaches
- Breathing troubles
- Loss of taste/smell
- Sore throat
- Queasiness or vomiting
Warning symptoms demanding urgent help include:
- Labored breathing
- Chest pressure
- Confusion
- Struggling to stay conscious
- Unusual skin tones (blue, gray, or pale lips/nails)
How Can You Shield Yourself?
Despite its upgraded evasiveness, WHO maintains confidence in current vaccines, stating their endurance against severe outcomes from NB.1.8.1 remains solid.
The CDC, through its January 7 advisory, recommends the 2024-2025 Moderna COVID-19 shot for all individuals over six months of age—especially those with weakened immunity, pregnant people, older adults, and those in long-term care.
Yet, a sudden twist unfolded on May 27, when Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly declared a sharp policy pivot: COVID-19 shots will no longer be a staple on the immunization calendar for healthy children and pregnant individuals. This controversial step bypassed usual expert review, slicing against earlier guidance.
Now, only 65+ adults and those with chronic health issues will be formally recommended to receive vaccinations.
This move could constrict vaccine access for:
- Younger, healthy adults
- Healthcare professionals
- Households with at-risk members
And without standard coverage, these individuals may soon need to pay out-of-pocket, assuming availability holds steady.
Still Need a COVID Test?
Yes, free tests are still available.
The federal ICATT program (Increasing Community Access to Testing, Treatment, and Response) provides no-cost COVID-19 testing to uninsured folks.
As of May 27, over 19,000 testing centers nationwide offer this service. Simply head to testinglocator.cdc.gov/Search to locate a spot nearby.