Caution! New Covid variant reported to be causing severe sore throat

A new subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, identified as NB.1.8.1 and informally nicknamed “Knife Throat Covid,” has caught the attention of doctors and health authorities due to the intense discomfort in the throat that can cause in some patients. Health professionals in India, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere have identified this symptom as one of the most notable symptoms of the new strain.

Despite the alarming nickname, specialists have emphasized that this variant has not been shown to cause more severe clinical symptoms compared to previous strains. Common symptoms that remain include fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough, and in some cases, loss of smell or taste.

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According to a report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 28, an increase in infections has been identified especially in the Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific, and the Eastern Mediterranean. By mid-May, the Nimbus variant already accounted for nearly 11% of genomic samples reported globally.

In the United States, health authorities at airports have detected this subvariant in passengers arriving from the aforementioned regions, particularly upon arrival in California, Virginia, New York, and Washington state.

Risk assessment and protection with vaccines

The WHO has classified the NB.1.8.1 variant as a "variant under surveillance" and considers the risk it poses to global public health to be limited. For now, There is no conclusive evidence that this new strain causes a higher rate of hospitalizations or a more severe course of the disease.

In addition, the organization has assured that the currently available vaccines continue to offer effective protection against this variant, which reinforces the importance of keeping the vaccination schedule up to date.

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Amid the ongoing surveillance of this new subvariant, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparked controversy by recently announcing that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for pregnant women or healthy children. This position was quickly challenged by numerous public health experts, who warned of the potential negative effects of these statements on public confidence in vaccination.

With information from SUN

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