Covid is back in the news, this time because of a new variant called NB. 1. 8. 1. This variant is spreading quickly around the world, and it's important to understand what we know so far.

The World Health Organization has started keeping a close eye on NB. 1. 8. 1. This variant has some unique features that make it different from others we've seen before. It's important to note that this variant is a sublineage of Omicron, which means it comes from a mix of existing variants. This process, known as recombination, can lead to new variants that behave differently.

In Australia, the number of Covid cases has been going up since late May 2025. This variant is now one of the main strains circulating in the country. In some places, like Victoria, it makes up more than 40% of the cases. Even in wastewater, NB. 1. 8. 1 is the most common variant found in Perth. This trend is not just happening in Australia. Internationally, NB. 1. 8. 1 has been increasing, especially in Asia. By late April 2025, it made up about 10. 7% of all sequenced cases globally, a significant jump from just a few weeks before.

The symptoms of NB. 1. 8. 1 are similar to those of other Omicron subvariants. People might experience a sore throat, fatigue, fever, a mild cough, muscle aches, and nasal congestion. Some people might also have stomach issues. The good news is that there's no evidence yet that NB. 1. 8. 1 causes more severe illness than other variants.

Researchers have been studying NB. 1. 8. 1 to understand how it works. This variant has several mutations in its spike protein, which is what the virus uses to infect human cells. Early studies suggest that NB. 1. 8. 1 might bind more strongly to human cells, making it more infectious. Additionally, antibodies from vaccinated or previously infected people seem to be less effective against this variant. This could mean that people infected with NB. 1. 8. 1 might be more likely to spread the virus to others.

Vaccines are still a crucial tool in fighting Covid. Even if the latest variant slightly reduces the effectiveness of antibodies, current vaccines should still protect against severe disease. The most recent booster available in Australia targets a variant from which NB. 1. 8. 1 is descended, so it should offer good protection. With winter approaching and a new variant emerging, it might be a good idea to get another booster if you're eligible. For some people, especially those with health issues, Covid can still be a serious threat.

GLOBAL AND AUSTRALIAN COVID TRENDS

New Covid Variant NB. 1. 8. 1 on the Rise: What You Need to Know

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