A newly identified COVID-19 variant, known as NB.1.8.1 or “Nimbus,” is drawing attention due to reports that it may cause unusually painful sore throats—described by some patients as feeling like “razor blades,” the Associated Press reports.
While the symptom has been noted in countries including the United Kingdom and India, health officials emphasize there is currently no major cause for concern.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the rise in cases linked to the Nimbus variant was primarily observed in the eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and western Pacific regions as of late May. The variant accounted for nearly 11% of globally sequenced samples by mid-May.
Airport screenings in the United States have identified the variant in travelers arriving from these regions, with cases detected in California, Washington state, Virginia, and New York.
In addition to the intense sore throat, the Nimbus variant appears to cause typical COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell. The severity of illness remains comparable to earlier variants, with no current evidence suggesting that Nimbus causes more serious health outcomes.
Existing COVID-19 vaccines continue to offer protection against the Nimbus variant. The WHO has classified it as a “variant under monitoring” and considers its global public health risk to be low. Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools in managing COVID-19 and preventing severe illness.
Although the variant is gaining visibility due to the unique sore throat symptom, health authorities urge the public to stay informed but not alarmed. Public health recommendations remain unchanged, with an emphasis on vaccination, symptom monitoring, and good hygiene practices.
Health policy decisions, such as the recent announcement by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women, continue to be subject to review and debate by public health experts.
