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An unusual variant of COVID-19 called NB.1.8.1 has recently been detected in the United States and India because of a large increase in cases seen in China. The Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that this strain has seen in travellers from other countries at several US airports.
How the new strain is spreading:
Some recent surveys by health officials have shown that the strain exists in some local communities. NB.1.8.1 has been recognised as a factor in the increase of COVID-19 in several areas in Asia. The number of critically ill COVID-19 patients in China's hospitals have increased from 3.3% to 6.3% in only a month, and the number of A&E (accident and emergency) patients who test positive for the virus in China have increased from 7.5% to 16.2%. Taiwan's admissions to hospitals because of COVID-19 have increased by 78%.
Because hospitalisation cases in Hong Kong are at their highest in a year, the government is advising residents to wear face masks when they use public transport or are in crowded areas. While WHO (World Health Organisation) believes that NB.1.8.1 may be able to infect people more easily, they have found no proof that it causes worse illness or escapes immunity that other variants do not.
How did the new strain of COVID-19 enter the US?
Nearly all new cases of COVID-19 in the US are attributed to travellers who have come from China, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, France, the Netherlands, and Spain. Between April 22 and May 12, testing for the variant took place on individuals sampled during airport nasal swab programmes.
According to the health officials, there are cases of the variant in Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii, in addition to those spotted in California and Washington in late March and early April.
COVID NB.1.8.1 virus in India
The rising number of COVID-19 cases in many Indian cities is being closely watched by health experts. With more than 1000 cases in India, majorly in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad, advisories are being issued again. Delhi saw more than 100 active cases on Monday, and nationally, the number was 1,009, the health ministry reported.
In fact, out of 95 cases recorded so far in May, only 106 had appeared in Maharashtra since January, according to the state's health department.
Signs and symptoms of covid variant NB.1.8.1
The symptoms reported by people infected with the NB.1.8.1 variant include some that are unlike the symptoms seen in previous COVID-19 strains. Early signs of tuberculosis tend to be:
- Moderate and long-lasting hyperthermia: Rather than high fever, many people experience a continuing mild increase in their body temperature within 37.6 C and 38.1 C. it is characterised by a lack of sweat gland activity and trouble breathing normally.
- Upper Respiratory: NB.1.8.1 is like other omicron sub-variants in that it commonly causes sore throat, cough, a runny nose, and a mild fever.
- Gastrointestinal issues: Some users say they have experienced nausea, are not as hungry as before, and suffer from gastrointestinal problems.
- Neurological symptoms: Some people have experienced headaches, dizziness, and difficulty with concentration.
- Weakness: Extreme weariness and weakness have been marked in many patients, making everyday activities hard for some.
- Trouble in sleep and Anxiety: Some people who contract JN.1, a similar strain to Omicron, have had anxiety and trouble sleeping, according to UK medical reports.
Preventive measures against covid variant NB.1.8.1:
As NB.1.8.1 can rapidly spread, mainly because international travellers carry it, health authorities advise these safety precautions:
- You should wear a mask when surrounded by many people in one area to help protect against transmitting the virus.
- Masks help slow the spread of the virus in areas where people are close together.
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer to prevent getting an infection.
- Supervise any symptoms listed in this article and go to the doctor if they start to occur.
- If a person has these symptoms, self-isolation can be a wise choice to help stop the disease.
