NB.1.8.1: What You Need to Know About India’s New Covid Variant

May 26, 2025 Komal Das

[{"selector":"#anim-664ebb3f-6207-4d52-a2f9-24a122f768f9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(14.346965555368385%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dad1dbbf-127d-46f7-9285-f0a06edd168b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e6769c3-9d0e-468f-9191-ffe3974892d0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] A new Covid-19 sub-variant called NB.1.8.1 has been detected in India. Its sample was collected and sequenced in April 2025

[{"selector":"#anim-33d64b78-4784-4e43-94de-133e0a70d115 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-7.105427357601002e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-44b387df-3105-4ae6-ab86-13e6a3c8032b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07445296-b281-4a1d-91ca-c97a8f8fef12","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] NB.1.8.1 is a descendant of Omicron lineage JN.1 and is classified by WHO as a Variant Under Monitoring

[{"selector":"#anim-244be19c-2579-4d41-99fd-f47c7dc3eef7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ab042237-4bb4-4ee5-8127-fb3cf87fbe60","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-45e4c339-f607-4881-a2be-127d5b835413","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] This variant has mutations that may increase transmissibility and immune evasion but is not more severe than previous variants

[{"selector":"#anim-a44b4b33-e769-4839-a083-cb4d4bfb323c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-9.12162153244342%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e55b3d41-c8e2-462b-aefa-a0ce01d1ba27","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a755d11-9c6e-4990-ba4c-b7e967f4c55a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] NB.1.8.1 has been found in 22 countries including the US, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore

[{"selector":"#anim-33cb6532-955e-4dc9-8256-e748b8322339 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-4.444668361794104%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-05d0a2c2-7e88-4df3-87a7-185de9d16b79","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4ba938c2-71b2-491e-b7df-9569e7ae07d7","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Common symptoms include sore throat, mild cough, fatigue, fever, nasal congestion, headache, nausea, and loss of appetite

[{"selector":"#anim-accd6a76-8a8a-424a-938b-65559f1284d2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-486b0c12-a3f5-4c71-a3bb-8e32b24da36b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4d5bbb7d-bb77-426f-a0eb-8842bf5329ab","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] India has 257 active Covid-19 cases as of May 2025, with a mild rise in Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu

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[{"selector":"#anim-11f25222-7a75-4fd4-bbac-e24298c3855f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.3311687932070093%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b98a21a4-21a6-48e2-9641-8250924493c9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-50f40c30-15b1-4055-8414-23ccadb3115a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Experts urge following Covid safety measures: hygiene, masks in crowds, symptom monitoring, and keeping vaccinations up to date

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