India is seeing a fresh rise in COVID-19 cases, with over 7,000 active infections and more than 70 deaths reported recently. While COVID-19 has now become a seasonal illness similar to the flu, a new variant called NB.1.8.1 — nicknamed Nimbus — is grabbing attention for a very painful symptom: a sore throat so sharp that patients are comparing it to the feeling of “razor blades.”
Doctors in India have confirmed a few such cases, where patients reported this intense throat pain.
Where Has the Nimbus Variant Spread?
The Nimbus variant has been spreading quickly across several countries. Cases have already been reported in:
- China and Hong Kong
- United States – including California, Washington, Virginia, and New York
- Australia
- United Kingdom – where 13 cases were confirmed in June along with a 10% rise in hospital admissions
India has also started detecting cases of this variant. By mid-May, NB.1.8.1 made up around 11% of global sequenced COVID samples, showing how fast it’s circulating.
Common Symptoms of Nimbus
The most talked-about symptom of the Nimbus variant is an extremely painful sore throat. Other symptoms include:
- Fever and chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of taste or smell
Despite the intense throat pain, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that this variant does not cause more severe illness than earlier strains. For now, it’s considered low risk.
What Has the WHO Said About Nimbus?
The WHO has labelled NB.1.8.1 as a “variant under monitoring”, which means it’s being tracked closely but is not yet considered a major threat. They’ve also confirmed that current COVID-19 vaccines are still effective in preventing serious illness caused by this variant.
“The WHO assesses the additional risk to the global public as currently low,” said Dr Naveed Asif from The London General Practice.
Are Vaccines Effective Against Nimbus?
Yes. Vaccines approved by the US FDA — including Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax — are expected to protect against this variant. Since NB.1.8.1 belongs to the Omicron JN.1 lineage, the updated booster shots remain effective.
Health experts advise staying up to date with COVID boosters, especially for people with:
- Diabetes
- Heart conditions
- Hypertension
- Other underlying health problems
These individuals may have a weaker immune response and should take extra care.
Why Is the Nimbus Variant Spreading So Fast?
Scientists believe that the NB.1.8.1 variant spreads more easily because of stronger binding with human cells. It attaches tightly to the ACE2 receptor – the gateway the virus uses to enter the body.
“Lab tests show NB.1.8.1 has the strongest binding to ACE2 receptors among tested variants,” said virologist Lara Herrero from Griffith University.
Dr Chun Tang, a UK-based GP, also noted that some minor changes to the spike protein might help this variant spread faster or escape prior immunity. That’s what gives it a genetic advantage.
How to Stay Protected
Although the virus is evolving, the precautionary measures remain the same:
- Wear a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated areas
- Wash and sanitise hands regularly
- Stay home if you feel unwell
- Cover your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing
- Keep windows open or use air filters indoors during high transmission periods
These simple habits can still make a big difference in protecting yourself and others.
Why Is It Called Nimbus?
Despite the name, ‘Nimbus’ is not a Harry Potter reference. It doesn’t come from the magical Nimbus 2000 broomstick, nor is it linked to any pop culture.
The name comes from a type of cloud — used as a friendly nickname for easier public communication. According to Professor T Ryan Gregory from the University of Guelph in Canada, giving nicknames like ‘Nimbus’ (NB.1.8.1) or ‘Stratus’ (XFG) helps make these technical variants easier to talk about and remember.
Final Thoughts
The Nimbus variant is another reminder that COVID-19 is still around and evolving. While it’s not considered highly dangerous for now, staying alert, maintaining hygiene, and keeping up with vaccinations are your best tools to stay protected.
