Present in France and very contagious. What is known about the new stem of the virus that produces Covid-19

It is called NB.1.8.1, and this new stem of SARS-COV-2, the virus that caused the Covid-19 pandemic, caused an increase in the number of cases in Asia and was also detected in the first time in France. On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked it in the category of variants under supervision, that is, presenting an increased risk for health, the French journalists from TF1info write.

In Asia, experts closely monitor this variant. In a statement published on May 15, Hong Kong health authorities revealed that the number of cases of Covid-19 has reached the highest level of the last year, causing a “significant increase” of the number of emergencies and hospitalizations related to this disease, according to News.ro.

Although the sanitary authorities do not consider that there is evidence that the variant is more serious, they still urged the people to “wear a surgical mask when moving to public places”. They also recommend the entire population to protect themselves “in public transport or crowded places”.

Taiwanese sanitary authorities have also reported an increase in the number of visits to emergency services, with an increase in the number of serious cases and deaths. “In response to this wave” of cases, the authorities announced on May 20 that the “vaccines and antiviral drugs” is underway.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, this variant would now be dominant in China and growing in certain regions of Asia.

Although Asia is in the center of this new wave, the results of the sequencing of this strain published in Gisaid, the largest database on SARS-COV-2 sequencing, shows that cases have been registered in many countries. Traces of it were found on travelers from Japan and South Korea, but also from France, the Netherlands and Spain. These travelers were tested between April 22 and May 12, according to data available online. According to Bruno Lina, a teacher of Virology at CHU in Lyon, “at least 4 cases” were registered in France. Researchers at the Pasteur Institute analyze positively tested samples to determine where Covid-19 variants are circulating.

“The first results probably show a greater ease of entering the cell,” explained Dr. Benjamin Davido, an infectionist at Raymond-Poincaré Hospital in Garches. “Specifically, this means we have a greater transmission,” he says. This specificity has caused the WHO to classify this variant as under supervision, as opposed to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

However, it is very likely that, due to its contagiosity, the variant NB.1.8.1. to become prevalent in Europe during the summer.

However, the European and international health authorities remain quite quiet. Although NB.1.8.1 is visibly more transmissible, this variant would not cause serious forms “more than other variants in circulation,” explains WHO. “The first results probably do not probably indicate a greater immune escape,” confirms Benjamin Davido. “This probably means that there is no greater risk of developing serious forms,” ​​says the specialist.

Although people at higher risk could be exposed to this new variant, the UN Public Health Agency estimates that the immunity acquired through vaccines “should remain effective against symptomatic and serious diseases.”

In France, the new vaccination campaign, which started on April 14, had to end on June 15. However, the sanitary authorities mention that “an extension is possible until July 15, depending on the epidemiological situation”.

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