What to know about the COVID variant that may cause ‘razor blade' sore throats
The COVID-19 variant that may be driving a recent rise in cases in some parts of the world has earned a new nickname: 'razor blade throat' COVID.
That's because the variant — NB.1.8.1. or 'Nimbus' — may cause painful sore throats. The symptom has been identified by doctors in the United Kingdom, India and elsewhere, according to media outlets in those countries.
Other COVID-19 symptoms of any variant include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell.
Experts say there isn't major cause for concern with the Nimbus variant, but here 's what else you need to know about it.
Here's where the variant causing 'razor blade throat' is spreading
The rise in cases late last month is primarily in eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and western Pacific regions, the World Health Organization said May 28. The new variant had reached nearly 11% of sequenced samples reported globally in mid-May.
Airport screening in the United States detected the new variant in travelers arriving from those regions to destinations in California, Washington state, Virginia and New York.
You aren't likely to get sicker from this variant than others
Not so far, anyway.
The WHO said some western Pacific countries have reported increases in COVID cases and hospitalizations, but there's nothing so far to suggest that the disease associated with the new variant is more severe compared to other variants.
COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the Nimbus variant
Yes.
The WHO has designated Nimbus as a 'variant under monitoring' and considers the public health risk low at the global level. Current vaccines are expected to remain effective.
Wednesdays
Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last month that COVID-19 shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women — a move immediately questioned by public health experts.
___
AP Health Writer Carla Johnson contributed to this story.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
18 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
What to know about the Supreme Court ruling 10 years ago that legalized same-sex marriage in the US
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling 10 years ago this month, on June 26, 2015, legalized same-sex marriage across the U.S. The Obergefell v. Hodges decision followed years of national wrangling over the issue, during which some states moved to protect domestic partnerships or civil unions for same-sex partners and others declared marriage could exist only between one man and one woman. In plaintiff James Obergefell's home state of Ohio, voters had overwhelmingly approved such an amendment in 2004 — effectively mirroring the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which denied federal recognition of same-sex couples. That laid the political groundwork for the legal challenge that bears his name. Here's what you need to know about the lawsuit, the people involved and the 2015 ruling's immediate and longer term effects: Who are James Obergefell and Rick Hodges? Obergefell and John Arthur, who brought the initial legal action, were long-time partners living in Cincinnati. They had been together for nearly two decades when Arthur was diagnosed with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in 2011. Obergefell became Arthur's caregiver as the incurable condition ravaged his health over time. When in 2013 the Supreme Court struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which had denied federal recognition of same-sex marriages, the pair acted quickly to get married. Their union was not allowed in Ohio, so they boarded a plane to Maryland and, because of Arthur's fragile health, married on the tarmac. It was when they learned their union would not be listed on Arthur's death certificate that the legal battle began. They went to court seeking recognition of their marriage on the document and their request was granted by a court. Ohio appealed and the case began its way up the ladder to the nation's high court. A Democrat, Obergefell made an unsuccessful run for the Ohio House in 2022. Rick Hodges, a Republican, was director of the Ohio Department of Health from August 2014 to 2017. The department handles death certificates in the state. Before being appointed by then-Gov. John Kasich, Hodges served five years in the Ohio House. Acquainted through the court case, he and Obergefell have become friends. What were the legal arguments? The lawsuit eventually titled Obergefell v. Hodges argued that marriage is guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment, specifically the due process and equal protection clauses. The litigation consolidated several lawsuits brought by same-sex couples in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee who had been denied marriage licenses or recognition for their out-of-state marriages and whose cases had resulted in conflicting opinions in federal circuit courts. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled the right to marry is fundamental, calling it 'inherent in the liberty of the person,' and therefore protected by the Constitution. The ruling effectively nullified state-level bans on same-sex marriages, as well as laws declining to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. The custody, property, tax, insurance and business implications of of the decision have also had sweeping impacts on other areas of law. How did the country react to the decision? Same-sex marriages surged in the immediate wake of the Obergefell decision, as dating couples and those already living as domestic partners flocked to courthouses and those houses of worship that welcomed them to legalize their unions. Over the ensuing decade, the number of married same-sex couples has more than doubled to an estimated 823,000, according to June data compiled by the Williams Institute at the University of California Los Angeles School of Law. Not all Americans supported the change. Standing as a national symbol of opponents was Kim Davis, a then-clerk in Rowan County, Kentucky, who refused to issue marriage licenses on religious grounds. She was briefly jailed, touching off weeks of protests as gay marriage foes around the country praised her defiance. Davis, a Republican, lost her bid for reelection in 2018. She was ordered to pay thousands in attorney fees incurred by a couple unable to get a license from her office. She has appealed in July 2024 in a challenge that seeks to overturn Obergefell. As he reflects of the decision's 10th anniversary, Obergefell has worried aloud about the state of LGBTQ+ rights in the country and the possibility that a case could reach the Supreme Court that might overturn the decision bearing his name. Eight states have introduced resolutions this year urging a reversal and the Southern Baptist Convention voted overwhelmingly at its meeting in Dallas earlier this month in favor of banning gay marriage and seeing the Obergefell decision overturned. Meanwhile, more than a dozen states have moved to strengthen legal protections for same-sex married couples in case Obergefell is ever overturned. In 2025, about 7 in 10 Americans — 68% — said marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized by the law as valid, up from 60% in May 2015.
Winnipeg Free Press
19 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
David ‘Syd' Lawrence, England's first British-born Black cricketer, has died at 61
GLOUCESTER, England (AP) — David 'Syd' Lawrence, the first British-born Black cricketer to play for England, has died. He was 61. Lawrence's family made the announcement on Sunday with a statement through Gloucestershire, where Lawrence was the club president. He announced a year ago he had motor neurone disease. 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Lawrence MBE following his brave battle with motor neurone disease,' the family said. ''Syd' was an inspirational figure on and off the cricket field and no more so than to his family who were with him when he passed. 'A proud Gloucestershire man, Syd took on every challenge with everything he could and his final contest with MND was no different. His willingness to encourage and think of others right up to the end was typical of the man he was.' He played five tests for England from 1988-92, taking 18 wickets. His international career prematurely ended at 28 when he broke his knee cap after falling awkwardly when running in to bowl against New Zealand on the final day of a test in Wellington. A strapping fast bowler who was renowned for being one of the quickest on the English county circuit, Lawrence was beginning to establish himself in tests and a five-for against the West Indies in 1991 helped England seal a series-levelling win at the Oval, with Viv Richards among his haul. Lawrence also played a sole one-day international against the West Indies at Lord's in 1991, taking 4-67. For Gloucestershire, he grabbed 625 wickets in 280 matches. The England and India teams gave Lawrence a moment's silence on Sunday in Leeds before the third day's play in the first test. Lawrence became a competitive bodybuilder following his retirement and he was also a nightclub owner in Bristol. After he detailed his experiences of racism during his playing career, Gloucestershire issued an unreserved apology in September 2021, and six months later he became the county's first Black president. Only last week, Lawrence received an MBE in King Charles III's birthday honors for outstanding services to cricket. At the time, he said, 'As a proud Gloucester man who achieved his dream to play for England on the cricket field, it means a great deal to me and to my family who have supported me with all their love during some difficult times. I have always put my heart and soul into any challenge I have faced and that is how I have approached things since my diagnosis with motor neurone disease.' He was fundraising to fight MND as recently as Friday, when Gloucestershire honored him during a Twenty20 game. Lawrence was also recently named an honorary life vice president of the England and Wales Cricket Board, and chair Richard Thompson paid tribute. 'David 'Syd' Lawrence was a true trailblazer of English cricket and a man of immense courage, character, and compassion,' Thompson said on Sunday. 'His impact on the game extended far beyond the boundary ropes. As a fast bowler, he thrilled crowds with his pace and passion. As a leader and advocate, he broke barriers and inspired change, becoming a powerful voice for inclusion and representation in our sport. 'Even in the face of his illness, David showed extraordinary strength and dignity, continuing to uplift others with his resilience and spirit. He leaves behind a legacy that will endure in the hearts of all who love cricket. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire cricketing community at this time.' ___ AP cricket:
Canada News.Net
a day ago
- Canada News.Net
Alcohol limit likely to be dropped from U.S. nutrition advice
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. government is preparing to revise its influential dietary advice, with a significant shift: dropping the long-standing recommendation that adults limit themselves to one or two alcoholic drinks per day, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The upcoming Dietary Guidelines for Americans, expected as early as this month, are likely to offer instead a brief caution urging moderation due to health risks, without prescribing specific daily limits. Currently, the guidelines advise no more than one drink per day for women and two for men—a standard in place since 1990. However, officials involved in the update say the scientific basis for fixed limits is weak, and the goal is to reflect only the most robust evidence. Two of the sources said the new language is still under discussion and could change, and a fourth individual is familiar with the process. The shift would be closely watched, as the guidelines—jointly developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture—guide policies ranging from school meals to clinical advice and carry international influence. Neither department responded to requests for comment. Some countries have taken a more conservative approach: Canada recently warned that health risks rise after just two drinks per week. The UK recommends no more than 14 units per week. Even moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to higher risks of conditions such as breast cancer. But some studies have pointed to potential cardiovascular benefits, including a reduced risk of stroke. Two scientific reports commissioned for the guidelines came to differing conclusions, underscoring the ongoing debate. One source said the new recommendation may be as short as a sentence or two, while existing numeric guidelines may still be included in an appendix. The alcohol industry, including giants like Diageo and Anheuser-Busch InBev, had feared tighter rules. Senate records show both firms lobbied lawmakers heavily in 2024 and 2025, though neither commented on the guidelines. Some experts voiced concern that eliminating daily limits could weaken public awareness of alcohol's risks. "The more general language is so vague as to be unhelpful," said Eva Greenthal, a senior policy scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. "The message that even moderate drinking can increase risks, especially for breast cancer, would get lost." U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known teetotaler, has focused on promoting whole foods in his messaging. While he hasn't spoken much about alcohol specifically, his department's shift in tone could be seen as an unexpected reprieve for alcohol producers, at least for now.
