Amid a localised surge in Covid-19 cases across India, concerns have been raised over the emergence of two new variants of the virus – NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), one case of the NB.1.8.1 variant was identified in Tamil Nadu in April, while four cases of the LF.7 variant were detected in Gujarat in May.
While the World Health Organization (WHO) currently classifies LF.7 and NB.1.8 subvariants as Variants Under Monitoring, not as Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest, these variants have been linked to driving the rise in Covid cases in China and parts of Asia.
In India, the most prevalent variant remains JN.1, making up 53% of samples tested, followed by BA.2 at 26% and other Omicron sublineages at 20%.
Although WHO’s initial risk assessment suggests that NB.1.8.1 poses a low public health risk globally, the variant’s spike protein mutations – including A435S, V445H, and T478I – indicate potential increased transmissibility and immune evasion compared to other variants.
As of May 19, India had 257 active Covid cases. A recent meeting chaired by the Director General of Health Services, with experts from the National Centre for Disease Control, ICMR, and other health institutions, reviewed the situation.
Despite the overall low number of cases, several regions have reported localized increases. Delhi recorded 23 new cases, Andhra Pradesh reported four in the last 24 hours, Telangana confirmed one case, and a nine-month-old in Bengaluru tested positive amidst a gradual rise over the past 20 days. Kerala reported 273 cases in May alone.
With the emergence of new variants and localized surges, health authorities are closely monitoring the situation and urging the public to adhere to Covid-19 safety protocols to prevent further spread of the virus.
