United States: The variant of COVID-19 that is already quite popular was practically unknown a few months ago and is already predicted to become the second-most prevalent strain in the United States.
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In January, variant NB.1.8.1 was initially reported in China, but until May, it was responsible only for approximately 0 percent of cases in the United States.
In early June, it was estimated to represent as much as 37 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to Subhash Verma, who is a microbiology and immunology professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, NB.1.8.1 is one of the latest variants of COVID-19, a “slightly upgraded version” of the LP.8.1 variant that is prominent right now, as USA Today reported.
In January, the new variant was reported first in China. In mid-May, the variant accounted for 10.7 percent of all the reported cases of COVID-19 globally, as per the WHO.
Painful new COVID variant NB.1.8.1 spreading in U.S
— SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19) (@COVID19_disease) June 21, 2025
NB.1.8.1 may spread faster and better evade immunity than previous strains.
Symptoms mirror earlier variants, including fever, cough, fatigue, and severe sore throat. https://t.co/uzKaLxzy83
Verma had asserted that NB.1.8.1 can be transferred possibly in an easier way in comparison to LP.8.1.
Also, he pointed out that NB.1.8.1 is more able to avoid antibodies produced by vaccine or prior infection as compared to LP.8.1.
“NB.1.8.1 is likely to spread more rapidly and evade our immune defenses more easily than LP.8.1, which is why this variant requires careful monitoring,” Verma added.
Over two incidences consisting of the lapse of two weeks that began on May 25 and ended on June 7, the Nowcast estimates tracker of the CDC presents estimates of the several variants of COVID-19.
The strain BA.NB.1.8.1 is estimated to be the second most popular in the United States, with recent data showing that 37 percent of all the cases children reported in the United States were that strain.
The most widespread strain is LP.8.1, which is also called Omicron, which occupies 38 percent of all conditions, and the others are NB.1.8.1, occupying 37 percent, XFG occupies 8 percent, XFC occupies 7 percent, and LF.7.9, occupying 4 percent, as USA Today reported.
In the United States, NB.1.8.1 started to grow significantly within the last few weeks, generating 0 percent of cases through March and now 2 percent in April, 5 percent in the first part of May, and 15 percent by the end of the month.