A recent COVID-19 variant recently emerged in the U.S. ‘NB.1.8.1’, informally titled ‘Nimbus’, is attracting worldwide notice due to its fast spread and a particularly painful razor blade throat symptom, as described by patients.
According to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 variant B. 1.8.1 accounted for approximately 37% of all new infections in the United States during the two weeks ending June 7.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared it a “variant under monitoring” due to its spike protein mutations and increasing worldwide occurrence.
Initially detected in China earlier this year, the variant has since been identified in over 22 countries, including India, where it is believed to be contributing to a recent uptick in cases.
In India, the National Institute of Virology (NIV) has isolated four Omicron subvariants LF.7, XFG, JN.1.16, and NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus), as part of ongoing genomic surveillance efforts.
