- Select a language for the TTS:
- UK English Female
- UK English Male
- US English Female
- US English Male
- Australian Female
- Australian Male
- Language selected: (auto detect) - EN
Play all audios:
THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION SAID COUNTRIES SHOULD "REMAIN VIGILANT" RYAN PRICE 21:19, 30 May 2025 A warning has been issued to travellers about a new covid strain following a
spike in cases in several holiday hotspots. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said countries should "remain vigilant" following reports of the new strain - officially named
NB.1.8.1. It has been detected in multiple countries, including Australia, Thailand and the Maldives. The WHO said recent increases have also been observed in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong and
Singapore. The report reads: "WHO recommends that countries remain vigilant, adapt to evolving epidemiological trends, and leverage COVID-19 management strategies to strengthen systems
for all respiratory disease threats, the MEN reports. "Member States should continue offering COVID-19 vaccines in line with WHO recommendations. Based on the current risk assessment of
this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or trade restrictions." While no new travel restrictions have been put in place, those travelling to and from the affected countries are
being urged to report any symptoms to a doctor. Common symptoms include a sore throat, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Article continues below Lara Herrero, Associate
Professor and Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease at Griffith University, said thanks to multiple mutations the new strain "may infect cells more efficiently than earlier
strains". Professor Herrero added: "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.
"But importantly, the WHO has not yet observed any evidence it causes more severe disease compared to other variants." Article continues below The strain has also been identified
in parts of the Eastern Mediterranean and the US. There have also been some cases reported in the UK, but those reports have not been confirmed as of yet.
