Available evidence suggests that the NB.1.8.1 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is more transmissible and may partly evade immunity from previous infection or vaccination against COVID-19.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified NB.1.8.1 as a “variant to watch” because it is circulating in many countries and has a strong spreading rate. Furthermore, NB.1.8.1 also possesses different characteristics compared to previous variants.
“The SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to evolve and from January to May, there were changes in the SARS-CoV-2 variant dynamics globally,” a WHO spokesperson said. “At the beginning of the year, the most prevalent variant WHO monitored globally was XEC, followed by KP.3.1.1. By February, XEC began to decline while LP.8.1 increased in circulation and became the most frequently detected variant in mid-March. Since mid-April, LP.8.1 has decreased slightly in circulation while cases of NB.1.8.1 have increased.”
The NB.1.8.1 variant, which now accounts for more than 10% of COVID-19 cases globally, is believed by many experts to be more likely to attack cells and cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation and nausea, according to the Independent (UK).
Since it was first detected in January 2025, the NB.1.8.1 variant has spread to multiple states across the US, Australia, Thailand and is the most common variant in China and Hong Kong.
On May 24, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health informed that recent gene sequencing analysis showed that 83% of samples from COVID-19 patients in Ho Chi Minh City were the NB.1.8.1 variant.
Like previous variants, NB.1.8.1 also has many mutations in the spike protein - the part on the surface of the virus that helps it enter the human body, through the ACE2 receptor, which is considered the "door" leading into cells.
A recent, unverified study has suggested that NB.1.8.1 may be spreading faster. Researchers used laboratory models to find that NB.1.8.1 has the strongest binding affinity for the human ACE2 receptor of any of the variants tested, meaning it may be more effective at infecting cells than previous strains, according to the Guardian.
The study also looked at antibody levels from people who had been vaccinated or had COVID-19. The results showed that the ability of antibodies to neutralize NB.1.8.1 was about 1.5 times lower than that of another recent variant, LP.8.1.1. This means that people infected with NB.1.8.1 are more likely to transmit the virus to others than previous variants.
Professor Subhash Verma at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (USA) told CBS News: "Data shows that NB.1.8.1 does not cause more severe illness than previous variants, although it may spread more easily."
Although neutralizing antibody levels may be slightly lower against the NB.1.8.1 variant, the WHO said current COVID-19 vaccines are likely to protect against severe disease caused by this variant.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nhung-dieu-can-biet-ve-bien-the-covid-19-moi-dang-lan-manh-post402842.html
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