Spread of the NB.1.8.1 variant in Asia (1/12)

Having emerged in China, the NB.1.8.1 variant of Covid-19 has rapidly spread across Asia, reaching regions such as Hong Kong where a significant rebound in the epidemic has been observed. This sub-lineage of the Omicron variant, known for its high contagiousness, was classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a ‘variant under surveillance’ on May 23. This classification, created in 2020, is reserved for variants posing an increased risk to public health.

Covid protection masks

Public health equipment

Significant mutations of the NB.1.8.1 variant (2/12)

Professor Yves Buisson, a member of the French National Academy of Medicine, pointed out that NB.1.8.1 presents “three fairly significant mutations” compared to its predecessor, which could make it the dominant variant in the future. Virologist Bruno Lina, for his part, told BFMTV that the specific characteristics of this variant could make it dominant. In Asia, particularly in Taiwan, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported a 66% increase in Covid-19-related consultations in one week.

Appearance of the NB.1.8.1 variant in Europe and the United States (3/12)

In Europe, the NB.1.8.1 variant has emerged in Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands, with France reporting its first cases in March. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the variant has been circulating since early April, but its epidemiological impact remains uncertain. In the United States, cases have been detected in international travelers arriving in several states, including California and New York.

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