Urgent holiday warning over new Covid variant that’s ‘more infectious’ as cases surge in popular hotspots
HEALTH authorities in popular holiday hotspots have issued warnings over a new Covid variant that's feared to be more infectious.
Travellers were urged to don masks and wash their hands as the new variant drives up cases.
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The strain - called NB.1.8.1 - has been spotted in spots popular with British travellers, such as Egypt, the Maldives and Thailand.
It's also seen a rapid rise in Ireland in recent weeks and has been found in parts of Europe, the US, Australia and the UK.
Health authorities in Thailand issued a warning about the variant, after recording Covid 257,280 cases and 52 deaths.
Deputy government spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak said international travel and the oncoming rainy season could accelerate the outbreaks and the Ministry of Public Health will monitor the situation closely, according to reports by Nation Thailand.
He urged people to "limit activities that increase the risk of infection, wash their hands regularly, wear masks in crowded places, get booster vaccinations when due, and seek medical attention promptly if experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, or other respiratory issues".
The country's capital Bangkok is seeing the worst of the outbreak, as well as the Chonburi Province.
It comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a warning over NB.1.8.1, designating it as a "variant under monitoring" due to its global spread and key mutations.
“Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation,” the WHO said.
But while it may not be particularly severe, it may infect people more easily than previous variants, with some evidence suggesting that the variant binds more tightly to human cells.
"Data indicates that NB.1.8.1 does not lead to more severe illness compared to previous variants, although it appears to have a growth advantage, suggesting it may spread more easily," Subhash Verma, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, told CBS News last week.
"In other words, it is more transmissible."
A recent study that has not yet been peer reviewed suggests that that a person infected with NB.1.8.1 may be more likely to pass the virus on to someone else, compared to earlier variants.
The WHO stressed that, based on available evidence, the variant's risk to public health was "low at the global level".
"Currently approved Covid-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease," it added.
According to the health watchdog, NB.1.8.1 was first detected in samples collected in January 2025 and has been identified in 22 countries as of May 18.
By late April, the variant made up roughly 10.7 per cent of all submitted sequences from these countries – up from just 2.5 per cent four weeks prior.
The WHO warned that NB.1.8.1 was increasing in prevalence in three specific regions worldwide: the Western Pacific region - which includes Asia and Australia - North and South America, and Europe.
NB.1.8.1 had become the dominant variant in Hong Kong and China by the end of April, according to Laura Herrero, associate professor in virology and infectious disease at Griffith University.
Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, advised the best things to do if you test positive for Covid - as well as how to best protect yourself:
"If you test positive or have symptoms consistent with Covid, the advice remains to stay at home if you can, rest, stay hydrated, and avoid contact with others — particularly those who are vulnerable.
"You don’t need to inform your GP unless you’re in a high-risk group or your symptoms worsen.
"Lateral flow tests can still be useful, and some people may qualify for antiviral treatment, so do check the latest NHS guidance if you’re unsure.
"To prevent getting Covid, good hygiene practices go a long way - regular hand washing, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding close contact with others if you're feeling unwell.
"If you're eligible for a Covid booster, it's a good idea to take it. Ventilating indoor spaces and wearing masks in crowded settings can also help reduce the risk.
"It's all about layering protection, especially during periods when cases are on the rise."
Prof Herrero suggested that the strain may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, and a lack of appetite, as well as the usual respiratory symptoms.
"Common symptoms [of NB.1.8.1] include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion.
"Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases."
She added that there's no indication so far that NB.1.8.1 causes more severe illness, stating: "The WHO has not yet observed any evidence it causes more severe disease compared to other variants.
"Reports suggest symptoms of NB.1.8.1 should align closely with other Omicron subvariants."
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