A new COVID-19 variant that first surfaced in China is starting to pop up in the United States, and health experts are already sounding the alarm. The variant, called NB.1.8.1, is showing signs of being far more contagious than earlier strains, and it’s spreading fast.
Since March, NB.1.8.1 has been detected in travelers arriving in New York, Washington, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Hawaii. California just joined the list as the sixth state to report cases of this variant, prompting the California Department of Public Health to urge residents to pay close attention to safety guidelines.
Dr. Verma told the Express that “it is more transmissible,” and California officials are now keeping a very close eye on how quickly it’s gaining ground. In fact, the state reported that NB.1.8.1 made up just 2% of COVID cases in April, but by early June, that number had jumped to a staggering 19%.
This sharp rise is raising red flags, with health experts warning that the strain could lead to a new spike in hospitalizations and infections if it continues at this pace. Some officials are even discussing the possible return of mask mandates in high-risk areas to slow the spread.
The World Health Organization is tracking this variant closely and says it now makes up over half of the COVID-19 strains circulating worldwide. Despite the rapid spread, the WHO is reassuring the public that current vaccines still appear to be effective against NB.1.8.1, especially in preventing severe illness and hospital stays.
California health officials echoed this sentiment, saying, “Currently available vaccines are expected to remain effective,” though they continue to emphasize the need for updated booster shots, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sparked controversy by pushing for limits on vaccine access for healthy children and pregnant women, a move that some health professionals say could complicate efforts to contain the variant’s spread.
Interestingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn’t yet started actively monitoring NB.1.8.1, even though it’s spreading in multiple states. The current dominant strain in the US remains LP.8.1, which accounts for about 73% of COVID cases right now.
Symptoms of NB.1.8.1 seem to mirror earlier versions of the virus, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, fatigue, congestion, nausea, and loss of taste or smell. But because of its ability to spread so easily, it’s being classified as a “variant under monitoring” by global health agencies.
So far, NB.1.8.1 has been identified in 22 countries. While no new travel restrictions have been put in place, the global health community is keeping a close watch. China is already seeing a major uptick in respiratory illnesses, and emergency rooms there are reporting a surge in COVID-positive patients.
With summer travel ramping up and more gatherings ahead, health officials are urging people to stay informed, take precautions when needed, and get vaccinated or boosted if they haven’t already.