U.S. reports cases of new Covid variant NB.1.8.1 behind surge in China
4 months ago
- #Variant
- #Public Health
- #COVID-19
- The CDC's airport screening program detected multiple cases of the new COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1, linked to a surge in China.
- Cases have been reported in travelers from Japan, South Korea, France, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, Vietnam, China, and Taiwan.
- NB.1.8.1 is now dominant in China and rising in parts of Asia, with Hong Kong reporting the worst COVID-19 levels in at least a year.
- Preliminary data suggests NB.1.8.1 is not better at evading immunity but may be more transmissible due to stronger cell-binding ability.
- The FDA's vaccine advisers debated updating COVID-19 vaccines for fall/winter, with some favoring targeting the JN.1 descendant LP.8.1.
- Moderna and Pfizer presented data showing LP.8.1 vaccines could also boost protection against NB.1.8.1.
- COVID-19 trends in the U.S. have settled into predictable seasonal surges, with current rates low nationwide.