The COVID-19 variant that may be driving in some parts of the world has earned a new nickname: 鈥渞azor blade throat鈥� COVID.
That's because the variant 鈥� NB.1.8.1. or 鈥淣imbus鈥� 鈥� may cause painful sore throats. The symptom has been identified by doctors in the United Kingdom, India and elsewhere, according to media outlets in those countries.
Other COVID-19 symptoms of any variant include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell.
Experts say there isn't major cause for concern with the Nimbus variant, but here 's what else you need to know about it.
Here's where the variant causing 'razor blade throat鈥� is spreading
late last month is primarily in eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and western Pacific regions, the World Health Organization said May 28. The new variant had reached nearly 11% of sequenced samples reported globally in mid-May.
Airport screening detected the new variant in travelers arriving from those regions to destinations in California, Washington state, Virginia and New York.
You aren't likely to get sicker from this variant than others
Not so far, anyway.
The WHO said some western Pacific countries have reported increases in COVID cases and hospitalizations, but there鈥檚 nothing so far to suggest that the disease associated with the new variant is more severe compared to other variants.
COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the Nimbus variant
Yes.
The WHO has designated Nimbus as a 鈥渧ariant under monitoring鈥� and considers the . Current vaccines are expected to remain effective.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month that COVID-19 shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women 鈥� a move immediately questioned by public health experts.
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AP Health Writer Carla Johnson contributed to this story.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute鈥檚 Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Devi Shastri, The Associated Press
