Written By: Satata Karmakar | Published : June 19, 2025 8:04 AM IST
New COVID Variant Nimbus Spreads In The US -Triggers Painful ‘Razor Blade Throat’ Symptom—Here’s What You Need to Know
With COVID-19 cases rising globally, health authorities are closely monitoring emerging variants. One of the latest to draw attention is NB.1.8.1, informally dubbed 'Nimbus'. This newly identified subvariant is gaining rapid ground in the United States and is known for causing an extremely painful sore throat, often described by patients as "razor blade throat."
Scientifically designated as NB.1.8.1, the Nimbus variant was first detected in China earlier this year and is now being actively monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Nimbus accounted for nearly 37% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. during the two-week period ending June 7. Health experts caution that this variant could soon make up one-third of global COVID-19 cases, given its increased transmissibility and distinctive, severe upper respiratory symptoms.
In May, the World Health Organization coined the NB.1.8.1 as a "variant under monitoring" due to its quick spread and intense mutations. The nickname of the variant "Nimbus" was coined in late May on "X," by T. Ryan Gregory, who is the Canadian evolutionary biologist behind many popular variant names, including the "FLiRT" strains.
The variant is a descendant of the Omicron family. To inhibit the growth of the spread of NB. 1.8.1, it's important to take care of essential respiratory hygiene, and consider all necessary precautions and protocols like maintaining social distancing, avoiding any public gatherings.
As per a reliable report, the Nimbus strain is known to cause a 'razor blade throat' or a sore throat, which is a major symptom. Besides this, there have been several other symptoms that resemble those of a flu, such as congestion, lethargy, a slight cough, a rise in body temperature, and muscle aches. The people have also reported diarrhoea and nausea, which can be two of the symptoms. The World Health Organization has indicated relief that the global risk is currently low and the vaccines that have been made available are known to be effective against the new variants, specifically the NB.1.8.1.
The NB.1.8.1 or the Nimbus variant has been derived from the recombination of the omicron variant XDV.1.5.1, which has been noted to have incurred several mutations in its spike protein. The intense mutations are known to increase the transmissibility of the virus and may evade the efficiency of the antibodies. But still, there is much research left to decode whether it would be more contagious than other omicron variants or not.
According to a report the Nimbus variants has remixed the genetic material from other strains three times, the recombination and the genetic mutation is a normal process that the virus follows to advance in the changing population and factors but such recombinations can be concerning because with the evolution of the virus and the genetic mutations that take place, the chances of the spread of the virus and its efficiency in affecting the antibodies also increase.
The variant may not appear to be concerning as of now, but the fact that countries like the US have been reporting a surge in cases indicates the efficiency of the virus to travel and transmit, which makes it concerning. The people are advised to take precautions and avoid any unnecessary travel, and only trust the reliable news sources to not being affected by misinformation.
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