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A new coco The variant is maintained under surveillance by the World Health Organization (WHO) because its emergence has led to an increase in infections in several regions of the world. Identified for the first time at the end of January, the variant – called NB.1.8.1 but known informally under the name of “Nimbus” – is a descendant of the omicron family of the coated sub -ons, and has become more and more widespread throughout the spring in Europe, the Americas and the Western Pacific.
The virus has mutations that can increase its infectiousness and allow it to escape certain antibodies. Nevertheless, “given the evidence available, the additional risk of public health posed by NB.1.8.1 is evaluated as low world level,” wrote WHO in its last risk assessment For the variant.
Like other front variants, Nimbus has specific mutations in its advanced protein. These proteins coat the surface of the virus and are what it uses to enter the cells, where it reproduces. The changes to the Nimbus advanced protein could increase its transmission capacity and partially reduce the neutralization efficiency of certain antibodies generated by previous infections, which would contribute to its spread.
However, the WHO says that there is no evidence that this variant causes a more serious illness compared to the other strains which are currently circulating. The increases in hospitalizations or deaths related to its emergence was not observed either.
The symptoms associated with NB.1.8.1 are similar to those caused by other SAR-COV-2 variants: sore throat, cough, fatigue, fever, muscle pain, loss of taste or odor, breathing, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
WHO experts explain that, although this variant can partially escape certain responses of antibodies, such a “immune escape” is comparable to that observed in other omicron sub-royalty. This suggests that the mutations present in NB.1.8.1 do not give the virus increased resistance to antivirals such as nirmatrelvir, and that current vaccines continue to be effective in preventing serious illness when infected with this version of the virus.
However, for those who are most vulnerable to the cocoan, such as the elderly, immunocompromised or those who have pre -existing chronic conditions – Nimbus represents a new threat to health, and these groups should remain up to date with booster vaccinations to ensure that they are protected from the worst Covid effects.
This story originally appeared on Cable in Spanish and was translated from Spanish.
