Wednesday, October 8, 2025-The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about two new COVID-19 variants, NB.1.8.1 (“Nimbus”) and XFG (“Stratus”), which are spreading across Europe and parts of the United States. Both variants are being closely monitored due to mutations that may increase transmissibility and affect how the virus responds to antibodies.
The Nimbus variant is a descendant of the Omicron lineage and has been detected in Europe, the Americas, and the Western Pacific. Stratus, now dominant in the UK, accounts for roughly 63% of new COVID-19 cases and is noted for causing a hoarse voice, a symptom that distinguishes it from previous variants. Early October reports show a rise in hospital admissions in the UK, although the WHO still classifies the global public health risk as low.
Health authorities emphasize that current COVID-19 vaccines remain effective against these variants. Recommended precautions include staying up to date with vaccinations, wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces, maintaining good hand hygiene, monitoring symptoms such as cough, fever, or hoarse voice, and seeking medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen.
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