Covid variant NB.1.8.1 considered a regular respiratory infection- Expert

Rules out any vaccination, booster shot 

By PRANAVESH SIVAKUMAR   

The new variant of Covid, NB.1.8.1, which has lost its potential to cause severe infection, since May 2023 is considered a regular respiratory infection, by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Sri Lankan government, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana, Consultant Epidemiologist, Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of Health, told the Daily Mirror.   

He said, certain groups of people, identified as infants, small children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with other illnesses (diabetic and cancer patients), ought to remain on alert and need to visit the hospital immediately, he advised. 

“Doctors would decide whether they should be admitted or not,” he said. 

When asked about the current situation of this new variant, he responded assertively, claiming the new variant is not found in Sri Lanka at all.   

“This is not found in the country, nor is there such an increase in cases, because we have a surveillance system for combined respiratory sickness, including Covid-19. Therefore, based on that, we do not see any significant increase in the number of cases. We do not get the total number of cases because this is a sentinel surveillance”, Dr. Liyanapathirana, said.   

He added, a seasonal variation is found in May-June and December-January due to weather conditions. Apart from these, they do not see any increase in the number of cases.    

Reiterating this variant is not in Sri Lanka, he revealed Genotyping (used to identify variants and subvariants) and samples were sent, and what we found was, it is the same variant we found in 2023 and 2024 and are still circulating in the island. 

He also ruled out any vaccination, booster shot, saying, “Not now. There is no recommendation by the WHO, nor by our government.   

“The health ministry is closely surveying these respiratory diseases. Therefore, health officials are vigilant, and if there is anything new, that would be instantly announced to the public,” he added.