Latest news with #SARSCoV2
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
What is new ‘Nimbus' Covid variant? Symptoms as cases grow in UK
Covid-19 is once again making headlines more than five years after the initial outbreak, with a new variant spreading in the UK and several countries across the globe. The new strain, named NB.1.8.1 and also known as 'Nimbus', now accounts for just over 10 per cent of global infections, with cases now confirmed in England and Northern Ireland. While there is no evidence that the new strain causes more severe symptoms, experts believe that it in can infect cells more efficiently and can trigger gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation and nausea. Since first being recognised in January 2025, the omicron variant has spread to several states across the US, Australia, Thailand and is the most dominant variant in China and Hong Kong. What is 'Nimbus' NB.1.8.1? The World Health Organisation has designated the NB.1.8.1 as a 'variant under monitoring', and comprises around 10.7 per cent of all submitted sequences. A WHO spokesperson said: " SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, and between January and May 2025, there were shifts in global SARS-CoV-2 variant dynamics. At the beginning of the year, the most prevalent variant tracked by WHO at the global level was XEC, followed by KP.3.1.1. "In February, circulation of XEC began to decline while that of LP.8.1 increased, with the latter becoming the most detected variant in mid-March. Since mid-April, the circulation of LP.8.1 has been slightly declining as NB.1.8.1 is increasingly being detected." While it first appeared in samples at the beginning of this year, data from GISAID, a global data of genetic sequences of major disease-causing viruses, show that the first known cases were registered at the end of April. What are the symptoms? While evidence has suggested that NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily than other variants, the WHO has not observed any signs that it has an increase in severity. "Data indicates that NB.1.8.1 does not lead to more severe illness compared to previous variants, although it appears to have a growth advantage, suggesting it may spread more easily," Subhash Verma, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, told CBS News. "In other words, it is more transmissible." Common symptoms align with typical Omicron subvariants and include fatigue, fever and muscle aches. Dr Naveed Asif, GP at the London General Practice, warned the variant also has a distinctive symptom, a severe sore throat known as 'razor blade' throat, causing a sharp stabbing pain when you swallow, often at the back of the throat. So far, cases have been recorded in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as in popular British tourist hotspots overseas. However, given the dwindling numbers of people testing for Covid-19, it has become increasingly difficult to know the true number of infections. Why has there been a global surge in cases? The 'Nimbus' variant, as it has been dubbed, does appear to be more transmissible than previous strains, with notable increases reported in India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. Dr Chun Tang, GP at UK private healthcare centre Pall Mall Medical, said: 'NB.1.8.1 isn't too different from the Omicron variant, but it does have some tweaks to its spike protein, which might make it 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.' Do the Covid vaccines work against NB.1.8.1?
Eyewitness News
12-06-2025
- Health
- Eyewitness News
Flu season started in March, confirms NICD
CAPE TOWN - The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed that flu season started on 24 March with patients being admitted for pneumonia. The NICD reported that, historically, this year's flu season arrived earlier than past seasons. Health officials advised the public to wash their hands regularly, cover coughs and sneezes and to avoid contact with people at risk of respiratory illnesses. Western Cape Health Department COO, Saadiq Kariem, said that transmission of the flu was currently low. "And so they do monitory of all the flu variants and what they found so far in fact since the 30th of December 2024 to the first of June 2025, of the samples tested, they found that there were 9.5% of cases were influenza but they also do monitoring of other respiratory pathogens and so they found that 16% of those cases were in fact RSV or respiratory syncytial virus and 3.5% of those cases were in fact from SARS CoV2." Kariem added that regular vaccinations provided a defence against the virus. "But this is why it's important to vaccinate every year, because the variants change all the time, much like we've obviously people understand how the SARSCoV2 virus has changed all the time." He detailed the types of influenza variants that had been detected this winter season. "So the flu virus changes all the time, every season, and most of the cases this far are from influenza A and the subtype is H3N2, but the NICD also picked up influenza A, H1N1 and a small amount of cases have been influenza B."
Associated Press
09-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
GeoVax Highlights Broad Cross-Protective Immunity of Multi-Antigen COVID-19 Vaccine Candidates at Keystone Symposia
Preclinical Studies Demonstrate Durable Protection Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants, Including Omicron XBB.1.5, Driven by T-Cell Responses ATLANTA, GA - June 9, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing immunotherapies and multi-antigen vaccines against infectious diseases and solid tumors, today recapped two scientific poster presentations delivered at the Keystone Symposia on Vaccinology: Horizons Across Disease, Demography and Technology, held June 4–7, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The presentations, titled MVA-Vectored Multi-Antigen COVID-19 Vaccines Induce Protective Immunity Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants Spanning Alpha to Omicron in Preclinical Animal Models, and GEO-CM04S1 Vaccine Candidate Maintains Potent Cross-Reactivity Against Original SARS-CoV-2 B.1 and Omicron Subvariant XBB.1.5, were delivered by Drs. Pratima Kumari and Amany Elsharkawy, respectively, members of GeoVax's scientific team and its collaborators, during the June 5 and June 6 poster sessions. The presentations spotlight the Company's Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA)-vectored COVID-19 vaccine candidates, GEO-CM04S1 and GEO-CM02, and their ability to induce durable, cross-reactive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants in preclinical animal models. These studies underscore the immunologic breadth, durability, and cross-variant protection of GeoVax's multi-antigen design strategy, especially important for addressing variant evasion and suboptimal immune response in vulnerable patient populations. Key Findings from Studies GEO-CM02 Study – Poster #1050 - Presenter: Dr. Pratima Kumari, GeoVax Scientist This presentation detailed findings for GEO-CM02, a multi-antigen MVA-based vaccine expressing the spike (S), membrane (M), and envelope (E) proteins. GEO-CM04S1 Study – Poster #2047 - Presenter: Dr. Amany Elsharkawy, Georgia State University Scientist This study evaluated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of GEO-CM04S1, an MVA-vectored vaccine co-expressing spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins, in a K18-hACE2 mouse model. Mice were challenged intranasally with either the original B.1 strain or the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant. 'These experimental findings document the value of inducing broadly specific immune responses to protect against evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants,' said Mark Newman, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of GeoVax. 'We believe the use of multi-antigen vaccines could provide significant benefit by limiting the need to continually update COVID vaccines and by limiting the need for yearly booster doses.' GeoVax's MVA vaccine platform is designed to address gaps in pandemic preparedness and public health resilience, with lead vaccine candidate GEO-CM04S1 currently being evaluated in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials for COVID-19. About GEO-CM04S1 GEO-CM04S1 is a synthetic next-generation, multi-antigen MVA-vectored COVID-19 vaccine co-expressing spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) antigens, designed to induce both broad antibody and T-cell responses. It is being evaluated in three ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials: About GeoVax GeoVax Labs, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel vaccines against infectious diseases and therapies for solid tumor cancers. The Company's lead clinical program is GEO-CM04S1, a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine currently in three Phase 2 clinical trials, being evaluated as (1) a primary vaccine for immunocompromised patients such as those suffering from hematologic cancers and other patient populations for whom the current authorized COVID-19 vaccines are insufficient, (2) a booster vaccine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and (3) a more robust, durable COVID-19 booster among healthy patients who previously received the mRNA vaccines. In oncology the lead clinical program is evaluating a novel oncolytic solid tumor gene-directed therapy, Gedeptin(R), having recently completed a multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial for advanced head and neck cancers. The Company is also developing GEO-MVA, a vaccine targeting Mpox and smallpox. GeoVax has a strong IP portfolio in support of its technologies and product candidates, holding worldwide rights for its technologies and products. For more information about the current status of our clinical trials and other updates, visit our website: Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements regarding GeoVax's business plans. The words 'believe,' 'look forward to,' 'may,' 'estimate,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'should,' 'plan,' 'could,' 'target,' 'potential,' 'is likely,' 'will,' 'expect' and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors, including whether: GeoVax is able to obtain acceptable results from ongoing or future clinical trials of its investigational products, GeoVax's immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines can provoke the desired responses, and those products or vaccines can be used effectively, GeoVax's viral vector technology adequately amplifies immune responses to cancer antigens, GeoVax can develop and manufacture its immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines with the desired characteristics in a timely manner, GeoVax's immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines will be safe for human use, GeoVax's vaccines will effectively prevent targeted infections in humans, GeoVax's immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines will receive regulatory approvals necessary to be licensed and marketed, GeoVax raises required capital to complete development, there is development of competitive products that may be more effective or easier to use than GeoVax's products, GeoVax will be able to enter into favorable manufacturing and distribution agreements, and other factors, over which GeoVax has no control. Further information on our risk factors is contained in our periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K that we have filed and will file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Company Contact: [email protected] 678-384-7220 Investor Relations Contact: [email protected] 212-698-8696 View the original release on
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A New COVID Variant Is Here, And It's More Transmissible — Here Are The Signs And Symptoms
A new COVID variant known as NB.1.8.1 has made landfall in the United States. The variant, which was first detected in China this past January, currently accounts for 10% of the SARS-CoV-2 sequences tested from around the world, recent surveillance data found. That's a significant jump from 2.5% four weeks ago. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spokesperson told HuffPost that the agency is in regular contact with international partners about the activity of NB.1.8.1. To date, only 20 NB.1.8.1 sequences have been identified in the U.S. — that's below the threshold needed for a variant to appear on the agency's COVID dashboard. (As soon as its prevalence increases, NB.1.8.1 will pop up on the tracker, the spokesperson added.) It's nerve-wracking to hear that a new variant is making the rounds, but infectious disease specialists say there are no glaring differences between the symptoms of NB.1.8.1 and those caused by other versions of SARS-CoV-2. 'Currently it appears that NB.1.8.1 would have similar symptoms to other COVID variants that have recently been circulating,' Dr. Zachary Hoy, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with Pediatrix Medical Group in Nashville, Tennessee, told HuffPost. Here's what to know about the newest COVID variant that's gaining traction around the world. Compared to the currently dominant variant in the U.S. (LP.8.1), NB.1.8.1 has a handful of new mutations on the spike protein that may enhance its ability to bind to our cells, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The agency suspects these mutations will increase the virus's transmissibility and, potentially, diminish the effectiveness of neutralizing antibodies that prevent pathogens from latching to our cells. In other words, the variant may be skilled at dodging some of our immune defenses, research suggests. According to Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious diseases expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, NB.1.8.1's symptoms are pretty much the same as those seen with other SARS-CoV-2 variants. Two of COVID's hallmark symptoms are a mild but persistent dry cough and nasal congestion, Hoy said. Many people who come down with COVID are also hit with fatigue and tiredness. 'An infected person can still make it through the day, but they are resting more and feel more tired throughout the day,' Hoy said. Other common symptoms include a fever, chills, a sore throat and muscle aches. 'Some have described recent variants as less intense symptoms as compared to wintertime influenza viruses, but both can have severe symptoms,' Hoy said. There's no evidence suggesting the variant causes more severe disease or an uptick in hospitalizations or deaths, the WHO states. The only noticeable aspect, as of now, is that it's rising in prevalence, Adalja said. It's too early to know exactly how effective the shots are — as the research on NB.1.8.1 is limited since it's so new — but scientists expect the shots to hold up well. NB.1.8.1 broke off from the Omicron JN.1 lineage, which the 2024-2025 vaccines target. 'The ability of the vaccines to prevent severe illness is intact though protection versus infection is limited and transient,' Adalja said. Anyone who is at risk of severe disease should stay up-to-date with the shots. 'Those in older populations or with underlying immune disorders or on immune-decreasing medications would benefit more from vaccination or those with increased exposure such as healthcare workers,' Hoy added. So if you have a condition that puts you at risk, it's worth getting vaccinated if it's been more than six months since your last vaccine or bout of COVID, Adalja advises. He also added that those who are low-risk likely do not need to go out and get another shot. Most people will be able to recover at home by resting and staying hydrated. While you're sick, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help alleviate muscle aches and fevers, Hoy said. And, in most cases, symptoms should clear up within a week. For those who are at risk for severe disease, including older adults and people who are immune-compromised, it's worth contacting a physician as they can prescribe antivirals — Paxlovid and Molnupiravir — that can significantly lower the risk of severe complications and death. As was the case with previous variants, these antivirals work best when started within five days of symptom onset. As for when you should go to an urgent care or emergency room? When you have chest pain, have a hard time waking up or staying awake, or feel confused and disoriented, the CDC advises. Hoy says the most concerning symptom he warns patients about is difficulty breathing. 'If you have COVID or COVID-like illness and have worsening trouble breathing or chest pain, you should be evaluated at your doctor's office, urgent care or the ER,' he said. RFK Jr. Says COVID Shot Will No Longer Be Advised For Healthy Kids, Pregnant Women Trump's FDA Has Axed COVID Boosters For Most People — And Medical Experts Are Deeply Worried New Trump Vaccine Policy Limits Access To COVID Shots
Mint
05-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
Experts call for tracking source, transmission of new covid cases
There is a greater need to understand the transmission of the new covid wave, a disease control expert said, at a time when the number of cases in the country is inching closer to 5,000. Communities were flu-like symptoms lead to a rush of covid-19 hospitalizations need an epidemiological investigation—a process to figure out how it spreads and stop the transmission—according to Dr. Sujeet Singh, who led the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) during the pandemic outbreak five years ago. This will uncover transmission dynamics, trends among hospitalized cases and epidemiological profile of cases, besides assessment of morbidity and associated severity, Singh said in an interview. 'There has been a recent rise in covid cases in Singapore, Hongkong, Korea and some other countries. In India also, there has been a substantial rise in the last fortnight. The rise from 257 cases around 25 May to over 3,900 cases on 1 June, 2025 points to increased transmission,' said Singh, former NCDC director. He added that at present, the strategy of test, track and treat should be aimed at understanding the current scenarios, particularly in states where rise is being seen. On Thursday, India registered a 4866 active covid-19 cases, as per health ministry data. As many as seven deaths were reported in the previous 24 hours, two each in Delhi, Karnataka and three from Maharashtra. The total number of deaths have climbed to 51 since 1 January 2025. India's latest covid wave is caused by two new coronavirus variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, mutations of the Omicron offspring JN.1 variant. 'Concerns over the sharp spike of covid-19 cases in India can be due to increased testing in influenza-like illnesses (ILI) or acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases. Testing can be focused in hospitalized ILI cases. Thereafter, the communities from where increased admission of ILI cases (which are covid-19 positive) need to be further epidemiologically investigated. The mortality in high-risk elderly population and persons with co-morbidities also needs to be investigated,' he said. The health ministry has directed all states and union territories to ensure health preparedness measures across health facilities to control the transmission of the infection. Assessment of oxygen supply system is being done in hospitals as part of the health preparedness measure. Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya, a public health expert, said that while there is fairly good understanding of SARS CoV2 virus to make inferences, it would be worthwhile for the government to regularly release epidemiological data of covid-19 cases. 'As of now, We don't know from where these covid-19 cases are being reported, what are their distribution patterns, do they have co-morbidities. The government should put data for epidemiological analysis to understand severity and pattern of the disease. The covid-19 virus has become mild to milder and people should not panic due to the spike in the covid. Furthermore, there should be a better communication approach and bring in more science and epidemiology while discussing on covid-19,' said Dr. Lahariya. Meanwhile, the government has advised the public to practise hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and avoid crowded places when unwell. The health ministry has noted that individuals with acute respiratory illness should self-monitor and seek medical care if symptoms worsen. According to Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, a former scientist at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and currently national chair at ICMR, right now, India's surveillance strategy should focus more on hospitalization and death rates. 'The number of cases being reported in the country is not important unless we know whether the hospitalization and deaths rated are increasing. The number of cases increases if one tests more and more people. These absolute numbers are of limited value as this is a mild infection. Rather, these covid numbers create panic in the people. And if, the hospitalization and death rates increase, sequencing those samples to see whether the virus has mutated or is the circulating variant will help design an appropriate strategy further. If it is an old omicron strain, then there is nothing to worry but, if it is a new strain, then measures need to be taken.' Covid has become endemic, but the good news is that the newer variants continue to come from the omicron family over the last three years, Gangakedkar said.
