Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, May 24: A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, believed to be driving a surge in cases across China and parts of Asia, has been detected in multiple international travelers arriving at major US airports, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The cases were identified at airports in California, Washington state, Virginia, and the New York City area through the CDC’s airport screening programme in partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks. The variant was found in travelers arriving between April 22 and May 12 from several countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Spain, and Vietnam.

Beyond airport screenings, NB.1.8.1 has also been reported in the community by health authorities in Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. The earliest US detections trace back to late March and early April.

Though it’s not yet widespread in the US, experts are closely watching NB.1.8.1, a subvariant of the JN.1 lineage, which has become dominant in China. Health officials in Hong Kong and Taiwan report significant increases in hospitalizations and ER visits, with both regions urging public masking and stockpiling vaccines and antiviral treatments.

While preliminary research suggests NB.1.8.1 is not significantly better at evading the immune system than other circulating strains, it does appear to bind more effectively to human cells—possibly making it more transmissible.

The emergence of the variant featured prominently during a recent meeting of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) vaccine advisory panel. Moderna and Pfizer presented early data indicating that updated vaccines targeting the LP.8.1 variant a JN.1 descendant currently dominant in the US could offer protection against NB.1.8.1 as well.

The panel unanimously recommended updating vaccines for the coming fall and winter seasons to target a JN.1-based variant, though there was debate over whether to adopt the newer LP.8.1 version or retain last season’s formulation.

FDA officials cautioned that while current trends in the US remain stable with COVID-19 levels at a low nationwide—virus evolution remains unpredictable. “Although one can’t predict evolution... the overwhelming odds are that what predominates in the next few months will come from something that’s circulating now,” said Jerry Weir, director of the FDA’s division of viral products.

CDC’s Natalie Thornburg added that despite the current lull, the agency continues to monitor for any sudden shifts. “We didn’t see a major strain replacement this past winter, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen soon,” she said, noting the virus seems to be settling into a seasonal pattern with peaks in summer and winter.

For now, U.S. officials are maintaining close coordination with international partners and continuing surveillance efforts as new variants emerge.