A newly identified Covid variant with distinctive symptoms has been detected in Ireland, with health officials warning it is rapidly spreading worldwide, reports The Mirror.
Ireland’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre has logged 14 confirmed cases of the variant, known as NB.1.8.1, over the past five weeks.
Although the case count in Ireland remains relatively small, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised concerns as the strain now accounts for more than 10% of global Covid cases, reports The Mirror.
NB.1.8.1 has been labelled a ‘variant under monitoring’ by the WHO due to its swift emergence and its apparent ability to bypass immunity developed through previous infections or vaccinations. It is already the most common strain in places like Hong Kong and China, and has appeared in countries such as Australia, the US, and popular tourist spots including Egypt, Thailand, and the Maldives.
WHO figures reveal the variant has surged from making up 2.5% to 10.7% of submitted sequences worldwide in just a month, triggering heightened concern internationally, reports The Mirror.
A WHO spokesperson said: “SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, and between January and May 2025, there were shifts in global SARS-CoV-2 variant dynamics. At the beginning of the year, the most prevalent variant tracked by WHO at the global level was XEC, followed by KP.3.1.1. In February, circulation of XEC began to decline while that of LP.8.1 increased, with the latter becoming the most detected variant in mid-March. Since mid-April, the circulation of LP.8.1 has been slightly declining as NB.1.8.1 is increasingly being detected,” reports The Mirror.
Researchers report that NB.1.8.1 has a series of mutations that “may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains”.
Dr Lara Herrero, Associate Professor and Virology Research Leader at Griffith University, explained: “It’s possible 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 evidence so far suggests NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily and may partially sidestep immunity from prior infections or vaccination. These factors could explain its rise in sequencing data. But importantly, 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,” reports The Mirror.
Although most people recognise Covid’s usual signs such as fever, cough, and tiredness, the new variant is said to bring gastrointestinal issues in some cases – an unusual shift from earlier strains that mainly targeted the respiratory system.
Dr Herrero added: “Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases,” reports The Mirror.
Gastrointestinal issues can involve stomach pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn.
In light of this, the HSE has reiterated to the Irish public the importance of recognising the full range of Covid symptoms, which now include:
- fever (high temperature – 38C or above) – including having chills
- dry cough
- fatigue (tiredness)
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this could mean they’re completely gone or just different to normal
- nasal congestion (runny or blocked nose)
- conjunctivitis (also known as red eye or pink eye)
- sore throat
- headache
- muscle or joint pain (aches and pains)
- different types of skin rash
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhoea
- chills
- dizziness
- shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
- loss of appetite
- confusion
- pain or pressure in the chest
If you’re showing any signs of Covid, current guidance in Ireland is to stay home until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully resolved. People are also advised to avoid close contact with others, especially those who are at greater risk from the virus.
The WHO has encouraged nations to remain watchful but has not advised any restrictions on travel or trade at this point, stating: “Based on the current risk assessment of this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or trade restrictions,” reports The Mirror.
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