WHO Monitors New Covid Variant Spreading in America and Europe
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Summary
A new Covid variant, dubbed Nimbus or NB.1.8.1, is currently under surveillance by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to its increased infectivity and its ability to evade certain antibodies.
It is a descendant of the Omicron family of Covid sublineages, and despite the worrying attributes, the WHO says the public health risk is still low.
Nimbus has mutated spike proteins, which coat the virus’s surface, aiding infection, and these changes may increase its ability to transmit and reduce the efficacy of certain antibodies.
There is no evidence, however, that this new variant causes more severe disease, and current vaccines are still effective in preventing severe infection from Nimbus.
The most vulnerable groups, including the elderly and immunocompromised, are still at risk though, and should remain up-to-date with vaccinations.
