Archive · 20 Jun 2025
Nimbus: New COVID Variant Spreading Globally With Severe Sore Throat
A new version of COVID-19, nicknamed Nimbus (NB.1.8.1), is going around.
It's causing a really bad sore throat, like razor blades.
People also get other flu-like symptoms.
It's spreading in many countries.
The WHO says current vaccines still work, and it doesn't seem to be causing very serious illness overall.
Scientists think it might spread faster because it sticks to cells better.
New COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus), is spreading globally with a reported severe sore throat.
The variant has spread rapidly across China, Hong Kong, US, Australia, and the UK.
Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, and loss of taste or smell in addition to the defining sore throat.
The WHO considers Nimbus a 'variant under monitoring' and states vaccines are effective in preventing severe disease.
Nimbus may spread more efficiently due to stronger binding with human cells.
- Who
- The variant is affecting people globally.
- What
- A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus), causing a severe sore throat and other symptoms.
- When
- Cases are rising recently.
- Where
- Globally, including China, Hong Kong, US, UK, Australia, and India.
- Why
- The variant may spread more efficiently due to stronger binding with human cells.
- Variant Name
- NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus)
- Primary Symptom
- Severe Sore Throat
- Global Prevalence
- Increasing across multiple countries
- Other Symptoms
- Fever, chills, cough, and loss of taste/smell
- WHO Status
- Variant under monitoring
- Vaccine Efficacy
- Effective in preventing severe disease
