The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a rise in COVID-19 cases, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific regions, linked to a new variant named NB.1.8.1.
The variant has been detected in travelers arriving in U.S. states including California, Washington, Virginia, and New York. It was first identified in mid-May and is now spreading internationally.
WHO has classified NB.1.8.1 as a « variant under monitoring, » noting that the global public health risk remains low and current vaccines are expected to remain effective.
