Ho Chi Minh City first discovered the new variant NB.1.8.1 of Covid-19

83% of gene sequencing samples of Covid-19 patients in Ho Chi Minh City were infected with NB.1.8.1, a variant circulating in many countries but first discovered in Vietnam.

Gene sequencing of Covid-19 patients at Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases

On May 24, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health Nguyen Van Vinh Chau said that the results of the research team from the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases and the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) decoding the gene sequences of 8 Covid-19 patients hospitalized in the third week of May, recorded 6 cases infected with the NB.1.8.1 variant.

This is a sub-variant of XDV.1 derived from the XDV variant, formed by gene recombination between the JN.1 and XDE variants. The first genome of NB.1.8.1 was first published earlier this year. As of May 22, this strain has been detected in 22 countries around the world .

"There is currently no scientific evidence to prove the level of spread or severity of illness caused by this variant," said Dr. Chau.

The World Health Organization's Covid-19 variant surveillance program has not yet classified NB.1.8.1 into any of the three risk groups: VUM (variant under surveillance), VOI (variant of concern) and VOC (variant of concern). Scientific data to date have not shown any difference in the level of spread or causing more severe disease compared to previously circulating variants.

In Taiwan, NB.1.8.1 is the dominant variant causing the disease, most of the severe cases are cases that have not been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as recommended, in the elderly or have underlying diseases.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also just announced that NB.1.8.1 has been detected in many international travelers arriving at major US airports in recent weeks. This variant is believed to be driving the increase in cases across China and some areas in Asia, according to CBS News .

In Ho Chi Minh City, the infectious disease surveillance system recorded signs of an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases from week 16 to week 20 (April 14 to May 18), with an average of 11 cases per week, a sharp increase compared to the first 15 weeks of the year (only 1-2 cases per week). In week 20 alone, the city recorded 26 cases, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the year to 79, 75.5% lower than the same period last year. Of these, 43 cases were inpatients and 36 were outpatients, with no serious cases requiring respiratory support.

According to the leader of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, experts believe that the appearance of the new variant NB.1.8.1 may be the cause of the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the city in recent weeks, similar to the recent increase in some countries. This is a common phenomenon when a new variant appears. On May 21, the Department requested the City Center for Disease Control to monitor the epidemic situation as well as the variants, and medical facilities to review and proactively plan admission and treatment.

The Department of Health recommends that people should not panic but also not be subjective in the face of unpredictable developments of the Covid-19 epidemic in the world. Proactively implement epidemic prevention and control measures according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health. Wear masks in public places, on public transport, and at medical facilities. Limit gatherings in crowded places if not necessary.

Wash your hands regularly with clean water, soap or antiseptic solution. Increase physical activity, exercise, and proper nutrition. If you have symptoms of fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, go immediately to the nearest medical facility for examination, monitoring, and timely treatment. People coming to and returning from countries with a high number of Covid-19 cases need to proactively monitor their health status to protect themselves, their families, and those in close contact.

Since Covid-19 appeared in the world in 2019, experts believe that the nCoV virus that causes this disease has continuously mutated with thousands of variants through each stage. The newer variants have the characteristics of spreading more strongly, but the level of toxicity is said to be milder than the early stage of Covid-19, while the disease has now become annual, with treatment regimens and drugs, and vaccines for vaccination to prevent it.

TH (according to VnExpress)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh-lan-dau-phat-hien-bien-chung-moi-nb-1-8-1-cua-covid-19-412348.html