Latest news with #NB.1.8.1
Vancouver Sun
13 hours ago
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
'Swallowing razor blades': What to know about the painful symptom linked to latest COVID strain
A painful symptom that has been linked to the latest strain of COVID-19 is being called 'razor blade throat.' The World Health Organization recently designated NB.1.8.1 as a variant under monitoring . The strain, nicknamed 'Nimbus,' has reportedly been causing extremely painful sort throats in those who have been infected with it. Cases of the Nimbus variant have been rising. It has been detected in 22 countries as of May 18 and made up 10.7 per cent of the global COVID samples taken in late April, WHO said. That was considered a 'significant rise in prevalence' since it only made up 2.5 per cent of global COVID samples four weeks prior. However, WHO deemed the overall risk of Nimbus to be low. 'Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalizations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation,' according to WHO. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Here's what to know. Like the name suggests, 'razor blade throat' describes severe sore throat pain, as if the throat is 'covered with razor blades,' chair of the department of medicine and chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau in New York Dr. Aaron Glatt told . 'While not specific to COVID-19,' he said, 'this expression has been used to describe sore throat symptoms in some patients with the most recent COVID-19 variant.' It has been described by some as 'akin to swallowing shattered glass or razor blades,' news network NTD reported . However, infectious disease specialist at University of California San Francisco Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, told the San Francisco Chronicle that a sore throat from COVID is 'not novel at all.' 'There has been a range of intensity of sore throat with COVID symptoms all along, including very severe pain,' said Chin-Hong. Other symptoms of COVID include runny nose, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, fatigue or weakness, muscle or body aches, new loss of smell or taste, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. This particular strain 'isn't too different from the Omicron variant , but it does have some tweaks to its spike protein,' according to general practitioner from private healthcare centre Pall Mall Medical in the United Kingdom Dr. Chun Tang, The Independent reported . That means it could 'spread a bit more easily or slip past some of our existing immunity.' 'That said, early signs suggest it doesn't seem to cause more serious illness, but of course, we're still learning more about it,' said Tang. The earliest sample of Nimbus was taken in January, said WHO. In Canada, the federal government has been keeping track of COVID variants detected nationwide. Nimbus was detected in Canada in March, but it only accounted for a very low percentage of COVID strains in the country, at just 0.2 per cent . By the end of May, Nimbus made up roughly 20 per cent of all identified COVID cases. Using earlier trends to estimate the current situation, the government is predicting how variants will spread or diminish. This method is called nowcasting. For the week of June 1, the nowcasted estimates of Nimbus in Canada are predicted to be around 42 per cent. The nowcasted estimates for the week of June 15 jump to 53 per cent, meaning it would make up more than half of the cases in Canada if the prediction is accurate. Other than Canada, Nimbus has been detected around the world, with cases reported in India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States, according to the World Health Network . It has also made its way to Australia and the United Kingdom .
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
What you need to know about the ‘razor blade' Covid variant
Covid-19, it seems, can never stay out of the news for very long. One variant of the virus has been making headlines recently for being behind a spike in cases, particularly in China and the United States, and for causing 'razor blade' throats, or a severely painful sore throat. What do you need to know about this? Read on, to find out. The 'razor blade' throat, reports indicate, is being caused by the NB.1.8.1 variant of the virus, an Omicron-descendent variant dubbed as 'Nimbus' and currently accounting for a large number of cases worldwide. On May 23, 2025, the World Health Organization classified this variant as a 'SARS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring (VUM) with increasing proportions globally, while LP.8.1 is starting to decline.' A technical document by the WHO states: 'Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is evaluated as low at the global level. Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease. Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalizations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation.' Symptoms remain similar to those caused by other Covid-19 strains and include fever, a sore throat, cough, runny nose and tiredness. Media reports indicate some patients complaining of a sharp, stabbing pain while swallowing, often at the back of the throat, akin to 'swallowing a razor blade'. However, it is unclear if this is a distinctive symptom of this variant The WHO, in its technical document, had said spike mutations in this variant could increase its transmissibility. In India, according to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), one case of NB.1.8.1 was identified in April in Tamil Nadu and four cases of LF.7 were detected in Gujarat in May. As of May, the most common variant remained JN.1, comprising 53 % of samples tested, followed by BA.2 (26 %) and other Omicron sublineages (20 %). In June, a media report stated about 163 cases of the COVID-19 variant XFG, had been detected, according to INSACOG data. Earlier this week, Naveen Kumar, Director, National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, said surveillance and genome sequencing have been scaled up. He said genomic analysis had revealed the surge was due to the JN.1.16 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant, and that since May 2025, it had been replaced by the XFG (LF.7 and LP.81.2) recombinant variant. Doctors in India have reiterated that Covid-19 is now co-circulating with other seasonal infections and that they do not expect any major waves of the kind seen in 2021 and 2021. Spikes and dips however, may continue. Personal protection and hygiene measures such as hand washing, avoiding crowded places when possible or masking up, and protecting vulnerable segments of the population must continue, they have said. As of Friday, June 20, 2025, India's tally of active Covid-19 cases dipped to 5,608 from the 7,000 plus mark last week, and four new deaths were reported, taking the total toll this year to 120.
Rakyat Post
20 hours ago
- Health
- Rakyat Post
Malaysia Records First COVID-19 Death In 2025
Subscribe to our FREE Malaysia has recorded its first COVID-19-related death of 2025, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Health (MoH) on 19 June. The fatality occurred during Epidemiological Week 24 (8–15 June). The individual, who had serious pre-existing health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, had not received the second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. MoH noted that this was the first COVID-19 death since 26 May 2024, and a significant drop compared to the 57 COVID-related deaths reported in 2024. COVID-19 Cases on the Rise, But Situation Under Control As of Week 24, Malaysia has reported 21,738 cumulative COVID-19 cases in 2025, with the weekly average hovering around 900 cases. However, MoH did flag a 68% week-on-week spike, with 3,379 cases reported in Week 24 compared to 2,011 the previous week. Despite the increase, the ministry assured that the national COVID-19 situation remains stable and below the national alert threshold. In terms of severe cases, six patients were admitted to the ICU, all with underlying health issues. All have since been discharged from intensive care; four have returned home, while two remain in regular hospital wards for follow-up treatment. New Variant on the Radar: NB.1.8.1 or 'Nimbus' The World Health Organisation (WHO) is closely monitoring the spread of NB.1.8.1, a Photo: Freepik WHO has classified Nimbus as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) due to its rapid transmission and potential health risks. Nimbus spreads faster than previous variants. Common symptoms include: razor-blade-like sore throat, fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches and nasal congestion. What You Can Do Health experts continue to urge the public to take precautions, especially as new variants emerge. Wear a high-quality mask in crowded indoor spaces, improve indoor ventilation: open windows, use fans or air purifiers, get tested if you're feeling unwell or exposed to COVID-19, and stay home when sick to reduce the risk of transmission. Photo: Malay Mail While Malaysia's current COVID-19 situation remains under control, this latest death and the emergence of new variants serve as reminders that vigilance and public health measures remain crucial. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
a day ago
- Health
What to know about COVID variant NB.1.8.1 causing 'razor blade throat'
A newer COVID-19 variant may be causing a severe sore throat in some people who contract the infection. The variant, known as NB.1.8.1, has been nicknamed by some as "razor blade throat" due to the painful symptom. Data from the open global genome sequencing database GISAID shows the new variant has been detected in several states, including New York, Illinois, Texas and California. Public health experts told ABC News there is no cause for serious concern yet because the virus does not appear to be more severe than previous variants and there are steps that can be taken to protect yourself. What is NB 1.8.1? NB.1.8.1 derives from the recombinant variant XVD.1.5.1, which is a descendant of the omicron variant. The first sample of NB.1.8.1 was collected on Jan. 22, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It was first detected in China and other parts of Asia before spreading to Europe. It was designated as a "variant under monitoring" by the WHO, meaning it may require prioritized attention and monitoring but is not as serious as a "variant of interest" or a "variant of concern." As of the week ending June 7, NB.1.8.1 is the second most dominant variant in the U.S., accounting for an estimated 37% of cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The virus appears to be more transmissible because there appear to be changes to the spike protein, which is what the virus uses to attach to and infect cells, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. It also seems to attach more easily to ACE2 receptors, which are proteins found on the surface of cells and how the virus that causes COVID enters cells, he told ABC News. NB.1.8.1 doesn't yet appear to be causing increases in cases or in hospitalizations with rates remaining "stable" so far, according to Chin-Hong. The variant has also been called "Nimbus," which appears to have been coined on X by T. Ryan Gregory, a Canadian professor of evolutionary biology. "Nimbus is a catchy, quick name, and it also includes an 'N' and a 'B' from the lineage, which is NB.1.8.1. So it's easier for people to be able to say these monikers for COVID, rather than remember the actual lineage," said Dr. Alok Potel, a pediatrician at Stanford Children's Health and an ABC News contributor. "But I think it's important also because it keeps people paying attention to new COVID variants that can be different in terms of infectivity and in terms of spread," he added. What are the symptoms? Experts said they are not sure if the painful sore throat is just a symptom that people are talking about or a distinctive symptom of this variant. It's also unclear if the "razor blade throat" is more common in those who are more up to date on vaccination compared to those who are not up to date. "I think it's certainly amongst the spectrum of symptoms that you can get, and we know that sore throat is reported by about 70% of patients now with COVID, so it's not unusual, and like with everything in medicine, there's always a spectrum," Chin-Hong said. There is currently no evidence that NB.1.8.1. causes more severe disease or is more likely to cause hospitalization, according to Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, "But of course, there are people in high-risk groups that are still at risk of being hospitalized should they become infected," he told ABC News. There are no other symptoms outlined that are specific to NB.1.8.1 by the CDC. Symptoms listed by the health agency still include sore throat, cough, fever, chills, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, congestion, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle aches, body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. How to protect yourself The experts recommend that high-risk Americans receive a vaccine twice a year as recommended by the CDC. The CDC also currently recommends most adults aged 18 and older receive an updated 2024-2025 vaccine and that parents of children between ages 6 months to 17 years discuss the benefits of vaccination with a health care provider. COVID-19 also tends to spike in the late summer and early fall, so people should consider opening windows to increase ventilation, wearing a mask in certain situations and avoiding crowded areas, Schaffner said. "Time to stream a movie, as I like to say, rather than going to the movies," he added. Patel said it's important to practice good hygiene such as proper hand-washing and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing. He also recommended that people test if they are symptomatic and said over-the-counter rapid at-home tests work. "Getting infected with COVID and other infectious diseases is not necessarily life or death, but it can still be very debilitating." Patel said. "It can cause people to miss work, to spread the virus, to get people who are higher risk sick and there's still an untold amount of people who have long COVID." He added, "So, we don't want to look at COVID as just another common cold, because there's still so much we're learning about it, and there's still so many possibilities with this virus continuing to mutate, if we let it."
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Covid symptom warning as new variant mimics common summer illness
Covid is surging again, and doctors are warning that a new strain could be easily mistaken for hay fever or a tummy bug - especially as summer symptoms spike. The variant, known as NB.1.8.1 and unofficially nicknamed Nimbus, has now been detected across Ireland. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently added it to its watch list after it jumped from just 2.5% of global infections in March to over 10% by late April. While there's no evidence the strain causes more severe illness, the WHO says it may be more contagious - and it's spreading fast. According to data from Ireland's Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), NB.1.8.1 accounted for 14% of all sequenced cases in Ireland over the past five weeks. The HSE body also reported a worrying rise in confirmed Covid cases across all variants - from 152 three weeks ago to 332 in the most recent week. Doctors are seeing a noticeable shift in symptoms compared to previous waves. While older variants typically presented like a bad cold or flu, NB.1.8.1 is now being linked to stomach-related issues, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea constipation, bloating, abdominal pain and even heartburn. Dr Lara Herrero, Associate Professor and Virology Research Leader at Griffith University, explained: "Common symptoms [of NB.1.8.1] include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases." And with hay fever in full swing across Ireland - alongside "high" pollen counts forecast for all four provinces this weekend by Met Eireann - many people may not realise they actually have Covid. Both hay fever and Covid can cause sneezing, nasal congestion, headaches and even affect your sense of smell. But there are key differences. Dr Luke Powles, clinical director at Bupa, says a fever is a telltale sign. He explained: "Despite hay fever being more common during the spring and summer, some people are affected by pollen from March to September. This can make it harder to tell if sniffs and sneezes are being caused by an allergy or an infection such as coronavirus." He clarified that it is "not likely" for you to experience a raised temperature as a result of hay fever, adding: "Although a blocked nose due to hay fever can affect your smell or taste, completely losing your ability to taste or smell is more likely to result from coronavirus." The doctor stated that Covid tends to make people feel more unwell overall, explaining: "Hay fever symptoms aren't usually serious and, generally, you won't feel too ill." Irish people who find themselves unwell with gastrointestinal issues or hay fever may actually have Covid, according to the HSE. Ireland's public health guidelines remain the same: If you have any symptoms of Covid, stay at home until 48 hours after the symptoms are mostly or fully gone. You should also avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid. The HSE is reminding the public of the wide range of Covid symptoms to look out for. These include:
