The World Health Organization (WHO) has alerted people that the new variant of Covid-19 found in China is increasing rapidly in some parts of the world and is currently spreading in South-East Asia, Western Pacific region and Mediterranean regions.
WHO officials said that the outbreak of corona has increased again in China in recent days due to a new variant called NB.1.8.1. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told The Epoch Times that this new variant has been detected in the US. However, about 20 sequences of it have been found so far.
WHO expressed concern
The World Health Organization has expressed concern about the rising cases of Covid-19 virus again. According to the WHO, an increase in the activity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been seen worldwide since mid-February 2025.
According to WHO data, the positivity rate in Covid tests has reached 11%, the highest since July 2024. The WHO had declared the NB.1.8.1 variant as a variant under surveillance and considered its risk to be low.
In its update on Wednesday, the WHO said that some Western Pacific countries, including China, have reported an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations. However, there is nothing yet to suggest that the disease associated with the new variant is more severe than other variants.
What did the WHO say?
The WHO said in its update that recently an increase in cases has been seen in four countries and regions, including Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
The WHO said that the variant called LP.8.1 is currently the dominant variant worldwide.
The UN health body said both LP.8.1 and NB.1.8.1 have shown no signs that they pose an increased public health risk compared to other variants.
WHO officials said airport screenings in the US have detected the new variant in passengers arriving from infected areas in California, Washington, Virginia, and New York.
What did the CDC say?
A CDC spokesperson told The Epoch Times that even though the NB.1.8.1 variant has been detected in the US, there are fewer than 20 sequences in baseline surveillance data in the US so far.
"It has not met the threshold to be included in the COVID Data Tracker dashboard. We are monitoring all SARS-CoV-2 and if it grows in proportion it will appear on the Data Tracker dashboard," he said.
NB.1.8.1 Cases Increasing in China
The NB.1.8.1 strain is a variant of XDV COVID-19. Data published by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention last week indicated that NB.1.8.1 is the dominant strain in China. Doctors told media outlets that one of its new symptoms includes a severe sore throat.
WHO's suggestion
The WHO has urged all member countries to manage COVID according to a risk-based and integrated strategy.
Follow the recommendations of the WHO Director-General.
Do not stop the vaccination program, continue it.
Vaccinate people at high risk.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent serious illness and death.
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