A new subvariant of the Omicron strain of COVID-19, named 1.8.1 or Nimbus, is currently on the rise, beginning its spread from Southeast Asia to parts of Europe. While it is not considered a cause for epidemiological or hospital-related concern, experts urge the public to remain aware of its symptoms.
The primary symptom associated with the Nimbus variant is a severe sore throat. Speaking to Greek media, respiratory disease expert Professor Nikos Tzanakis described the illness as causing a particularly painful pharyngitis, calling it “the sore throat syndrome.”
“This is a new virus in the Omicron group. Every summer, for various epidemiological reasons, we see a slight surge,” said Professor Tzanakis. “It doesn’t raise epidemiological or hospital alarm, but those infected will experience intense throat pain. It’s good to be cautious.”
Currently, the presence of Nimbus remains low across the European Union, but public health officials expect it to become more widespread in the coming weeks.
While the new variant does not appear to cause serious complications or require hospitalization in most cases, health professionals advise individuals experiencing symptoms to monitor their condition and follow standard precautions to avoid further transmission.
