New COVID-19 Variant NB.1.8.1 Detected In India: 20 States On High Alert - New COVID Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

New COVID Variant NB.1.8.1 Detected In India: A new strain of COVID-19 is spreading rapidly across the country. In the recent report, experts have stated that COVID-19 Variant NB.1.8.1 is behind the sudden surge in cases in the country.

New COVID-19 Variant NB.1.8.1 Detected In India: 20 States On High Alert As LF.7 Also Emerges Amid Fresh Pandemic Fears

Another COVID Pandemic? After a short break, deadly COVID-19 virus is spreading again in India, putting the entire nation on a high alert. According to the reports, a new and fast-spreading COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, has been detected in the country and is believed to be driving the recent surge in infections across 20 states. Health experts warn that while symptoms may appear mild at first, the variant's high transmissibility and stealthy spread make it particularly dangerous.

All You Need To Know About The NB.1.8.1 Dscendant of JN.1 COVID Variant

As of May 2025, officials have revealed that a new and more lethal strain of the COVID-19 virus NB.1.8.1, is spreading rapidly in the country. Emerging as a subvariant of the Omicron lineage JN.1, NB.1.8.1 has been linked to recent surges in cases across Asia and has now been detected in the United States. While health authorities are closely monitoring its spread, it's essential to understand what this variant entails and how it might affect us.

What is this new COVID-19 Variant? Experts noted that the newly detected NB.1.8.1 COVID variant is a descendant of the highly contagious JN.1 variant, which is currently dominant in Asia. JN.1 on the other hand, is itself a sublineage of Omicron. First identified in China, NB.1.8.1 has rapidly become the dominant strain there, leading to significant increases in COVID-19 cases. Its presence has also been confirmed in other parts of Asia, including Singapore and Hong Kong, and more recently, in the United States through airport screening programs.

What You Need To Know About This New Variant

This newly detected variant in India was first identified in China. The NB.1.8.1, as experts say had wrecked havoc across China during its first outbreak. Within no-time, this variant became the dominant strain there, leading to significant increases in COVID-19 cases. Its presence has also been confirmed in other parts of Asia, including Singapore and Hong Kong, and more recently, in the United States through airport screening programs.

Speaking to the media, health officials said, "First reported in Tamil Nadu in April 2025, NB.1.8.1 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron JN.1 strain and is now being closely monitored by both Indian health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO). Adding to concerns, another subvariant, LF.7, has also been identified in Gujarat, further complicating the national COVID landscape."

What Is WHO Saying?

Taking cognizance of the current situation in India, and other parts of the world where COVID is making a comeback, The World Health Organisation (WHO), said, "NB.1.8.1 has been designated a SARS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring (VUM) with increasing proportions globally".

"NB.1.8.1 is a SARS-CoV-2 variant derived from the recombinant variant XDV.1.5.1, with the earliest sample collected on 22 January 2025. NB.1.8.1 is one of six VUMs tracked by the WHO and was designated as a VUM on 23 May 2025," it added.

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