• Multiple cases of the COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 detected in the U.S.
• The variant is linked to a surge in COVID-19 cases in China and Asia.
• Health authorities recommend mask use and increased vaccine supplies.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified multiple cases of the new COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 through its airport screening program. This variant has been linked to a significant surge of COVID-19 cases in China and is rapidly spreading in several parts of Asia. International travelers arriving at airports in California, Washington state, Virginia, and New York City have tested positive for this variant, as reported by CBS News, AA, and TRT Global.

Sequencing data published on the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) indicates that the cases of variant NB.1.8.1 stem from travelers from various countries, including Japan, South Korea, France, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, Vietnam, China, and Taiwan. The testing of these travelers occurred between April 22 and May 12, according to the findings highlighted by CBS News and AA.

Health authorities have also reported cases in other states such as Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii, unrelated to the airport screenings. In California and Washington state, the earliest detected instances of NB.1.8.1 date back to late March and early April, as reflected in reports from CBS News, AA, and TRT Global.

The NB.1.8.1 variant has become the dominant strain in China, contributing to a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in regions such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. While it is not believed to lead to more severe illness, local health officials are advising the public to wear masks in crowded areas and to increase supplies of vaccines and treatments available, as reported by CBS News and AA.

Preliminary data indicates that the variant NB.1.8.1 may be more transmissible due to its stronger binding to human cells, although it does not substantially evade immunity compared to other variants. These findings are crucial as health authorities attempt to model and respond to the evolving COVID-19 situation, according to CBS News, AA, and TRT Global.