By Larissa Schwedes, dpa
BERLIN (DPA, CONVERSEER) – The new coronavirus variant spreading globally, especially in parts of Asia, has not taken hold in Germany, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The variant, known as NB.1.8.1, was first detected in January and has been classified by the WHO as a “variant under monitoring.”
In Germany, the variant was first detected at the end of March and has so far only appeared sporadically, according to the country’s public health agency, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
“No trend can be derived here; current Covid case numbers are low, and correspondingly less sequencing is being conducted,” the institute stated.
University of Basel biophysicist Richard Neher said whether this variant “will establish itself [in Germany] depends on how other variants evolve. It is quite possible that NB.1.8.1 will prevail, but it is likely to be relatively insignificant.”
In the most recent reporting week, which ended on June 8, the RKI recorded 698 Covid cases – a slight increase – but the institute noted this is off a very low base. Many infections are likely going undetected due to limited testing.
Slight increase in virus load in wastewater
Wastewater monitoring also showed a slight increase in SARS-CoV-2 levels over the past four weeks – albeit still at a low level.
The new NB.1.8.1 strain is derived from the XDV.1.5 lineage dominant in East Asia, according to biophysicist Neher.
The state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua, citing the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention, reported that the new strain had become China’s dominant variant by the end of May.
“The variant is increasing in frequency compared to other variants,” Neher noted. NB.1.8.1 is therefore more transmissible in the sense that an infection generates more secondary infections than other strains.
No evidence of more severe cases
There is no evidence that NB.1.8.1 causes more severe illness, Chinese authorities have said. This aligns with the WHO’s assessment that, despite rising case and hospitalization numbers in countries where the variant is widespread, there is currently no indication that it causes more serious illness than other circulating variants.
Covid-19 vaccines currently approved are expected to protect against severe illness caused by NB.1.8.1, the WHO said.