Similarly,
Can new variant nb.1.8.1 lead:
Since the beginning of the year. For example, a new version of the Omicron variant has aroused an important epidemic rebound in Asia. Moreover, Its prevalence, still low, increases in North America and several European countries, suggesting that it becomes dominant. Therefore, Faced with the risk of an epidemic recovery from COVVI-19 during the summer months. In addition, due in particular to this more transmitted variant, the National Academy of Medicine recommends vaccinating the most fragile people without delay [1].
Varying placed under surveillance
January 2025 saw a new variant of SARS-COV-2 appear in China, called NB.1.8.1. « Several mutations differentiate it from omicron variants currently circulating: according to their position. Meanwhile, these mutations could improve the affinity of connection to the cellular receptor ACE2 and increase the transmissibility of the virus, but also facilitate its exhaust of the antibodies can new variant nb.1.8.1 lead induced by infections or previous vaccinations “writes the Academy of Medicine. Consequently, Since the beginning of 2025, this variant has also aroused an important epidemic rebound in Asia (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore). Consequently, If it does not seem to determine. Furthermore, to date, more severe clinical forms than the other variants in circulation but, it was nevertheless classified on May 23, 2025 by the WHO among the variants placed under surveillance.
Regarding the symptoms of this variant. Nevertheless, they seem to be similar to the previous variants of the virus, with symptoms such as fever, headache, cough, nasal flow, fatigue, aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, said The Mazbsberry Programdoctor specializing in infectious diseases in Memphis (Tennessee), during an interview To our colleagues from Medical MEDICAL NEWS .
“Throat is a current symptom of COVID-19 that is manifested in more than 70 % of patients,” she said. Although certain reports describe can new variant nb.1.8.1 lead the sore throat associated with NB.1.8.1 As more acute. evoking a “razor blade”, it is not certain that this symptom is distinctive of this new variant, she pointed out.
As for gravity, it does not seem to be increased, Dre Mazumder told Medscape Medical News. “Although most people recover after an infection by the COVVI-19. some will have to be hospitalized and others will develop a long covid, as we have seen with other variants,” she said.
To date, no study has reported an impact of the NB.1.8.1 on clinical results. and no evidence available suggests nirmatrelvir resistance (Paxlovid), according to the WHO, which specifies that the currently used vaccines remain effective against symptomatic and serious forms.
Can new variant nb.1.8.1 lead
What of its traffic in Europe ?
After the WHO, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) also placed variant NB.1.8.1 of SARS-COV-2 under surveillance, can new variant nb.1.8.1 lead it is the 5th on the list [3]. “If the activity of the virus in recent weeks in the European Union/European Economic Space has increased a slight increase in cases. the rate of consultation in respiratory primary care remain equal to the levels generally observed during this same period, the previous seasons. In addition, NB.1.8.1 has no significant impact on gravity indicators such as hospitalizations. intensive care and deaths at this stage, “stipulated the press release published on June 13. Edoardo ColzaniResponsible for respiratory viruses at the ECDC. nevertheless warned that if the Sars-Cov-2 currently circulates at low levels in the EU/EEE […] Its incidence could increase in the coming weeks ”(see box below).
The concern of the ECDC focuses essentially on the vaccination coverage of the most fragile people: “We do not. provide that the variant NB.1.8.1 presents a more important risk for public health than other variants from can new variant nb.1.8.1 lead omicron. and we do not provide for a significant impact on the effectiveness of the vaccine against the serious forms of the disease, says Edoardo COLZANI. However. after a winter marked by a low circulation of SARS-COV-2, the immunity of the population against the SARS-COV-2 could have partially decreased, in particular in the elderly and other people with a higher risk of serious form, which could increase vulnerability as viral activity increases. »»
Recommended most fragile vaccination
Echoing these warnings from European researchers. the Academy of Medicine issued an opinion on June 25 in which it evokes “the risk of a possible next epidemic recovery in France during the summer months”. To cope with it. she recommends that a vaccination be done without delay to:
– all of the people identified at very high risk of serious forms (equal age or greater than 80 years, immunocompromised, residents in can new variant nb.1.8.1 lead establishment for dependent elderly or in long -term care unit) vaccinated or not in the fall of 2024;
– all eligible people for annual vaccination (equal age or greater than 65 years, pregnant women, with comorbidities, or in regular contacts with fragile or immunocompromised people), but not having been vaccinated in the fall of 2024.
The spring vaccination campaign. launched on April 15, 2025 and intended for the most fragile people does not seem to meet strong membership in the target population; It could be extended until July 15, says the Academy of Medicine.
Scenarios for the summer of 2025 according to the ECDC
The ECDC has produced projections of scenarios for the dynamics of COVID-19 in the EU/EEE between June and December 2025 based on the data collected in 6 countries. These projections made it possible to draw three can new variant nb.1.8.1 lead essential conclusions. First. the model suggests that immunity at the population has decreased considerably since the end of 2024, due to the low levels of circulation of Sars-COV-2 during the winter of 2024/25. “For the six countries considered. the immunity of the population was slightly lower in June 2025 than in June 2024, that is to say slightly lower than before the waves of COVID-19 in 2024”, writes the ECDC. Second. the screenings of the scenario suggest that the low immunity of the population, in the absence of any modification of the transmissibility and/or the gravity of the variant, is sufficient to cause a wave of COVID-19 in the EU/EEE during the summer of 2025. Third. the projections of the scenarios suggest a peak of hospital admission of a scale comparable to that which 2024, although with marked variations and uncertainty between countries and scenarios.
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