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Significant mutations of the NB.1.8.1 variant (2/12)
Professor Yves Buisson, a member of the National Academy of Medicine, pointed out that NB.1.8.1 has ‘three fairly significant mutations’ compared to its predecessor, which could make it the majority in the future. For his part, virologist Bruno Lina told BFMTV that the specificities of this variant could make it dominant. In Asia, particularly in Taiwan, the National Center for Diseases reported a 66% increase in consultations related to Covid-19 in one week.© Shutterstock
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Appearance of the NB.1.8.1 variant in Europe and the United States (3/12)
In Europe, the NB.1.8.1 variant has appeared in Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands, with France recording its first cases in March. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the variant has been circulating since the beginning of April, but its epidemiological impact remains uncertain. In the United States, cases have been detected in international travelers arriving in several states, including California and New York.
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WHO reassures on the effectiveness of vaccines (4/12)
The WHO has reassured the public that the current Covid-19 vaccines should remain effective against this variant to prevent symptomatic and severe forms of the disease. However, it calls for vigilance, especially in Asia where the variant has become dominant. Hong Kong reported that key Covid-19 surveillance indicators were at their highest level in a year, prompting authorities to tighten hygiene measures.
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Increase in positive test rates in Hong Kong (5/12)
The percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Hong Kong has doubled in one month, from 6.21% to 13.66%. In addition, the viral load in wastewater has almost doubled, reaching 710,000 copies/litre. Despite these alarming numbers, there is no indication at this time that NB.1.8.1 causes more severe forms of the disease.
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of the NB.1.8.1 variant in France and the United States (6/12)
In France, the variant has been identified four times, according to the National Reference Center in Lyon. In the United States, travelers from European countries, including France, tested positive between the end of April and mid-May. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has not yet placed the variant under surveillance, but is monitoring its evolution closely.
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