Understanding Nimbus: The New Coronavirus Variant from China Now in the U.S.

A new coronavirus variant, identified as NB.1.8.1, is rapidly spreading across various regions globally, including China and several other Asian countries, raising alarms among health experts in Europe about a potential surge in cases. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that NB.1.8.1 accounted for approximately one-third of new COVID-19 cases as of early June, a notable rise from just 5% a month prior. Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and CNN wellness expert, explains that the virus continuously mutates, leading to new variants. While NB.1.8.1 is classified as a “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organization, it may exhibit increased contagiousness but does not currently demonstrate greater severity than previous strains. Symptoms associated with this variant are broadly similar to those from other strains, ranging from mild allergy-like manifestations to severe respiratory issues. Discussions around vaccination are crucial, especially for vulnerable populations, as experts anticipate that further data on vaccine efficacy against this variant will emerge soon.