Worrying new Covid variant NB. 1.8.1, wreaking havoc in China, is now in Victoria

Covid cases in Victoria soared by 55 per cent at the end of May amid news the worrying new Covid NB. 1.8.1 variant wreaking havoc in China has hit the state. And that’s not all that is making people sick.

Covid vaccination boosters are being encouraged as winter looms.

Covid cases in Victoria soared by a staggering 55 per cent at the end of May amid news the worrying new Covid NB. 1.8.1 variant is taking hold in the state as winter looms.

And Covid is not all that is making people in the state sick.

The latest Victorian Respiratory Surveillance Report, released on Friday May 30, also reveals that over just a week late this month influenza notifications increased by more than 45 per cent and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) notifications rose 19.3 per cent.

The latest Victorian Health Department data is as of May 28, 2025 — for the week ending May 24.

The rise of the new NB. 1.8.1 variant has sparked concern from health authorities and led to a plea for Victorians to get their Covid booster jabs.

The NB. 1.8.1 variant — which the Victorian Department of Health on Thursday confirmed had been detected in the state — was last week declared a “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organisation (WHO) because of its growing global spread and some notable characteristics that could set it apart from earlier variants.

The new variant could be more infectious than previous strains.

“The NB. 1.8.1 COVID-19 variant has been detected in Victoria, serving as a timely reminder to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses by keeping up to date with vaccination through winter,” a Victorian health department spokesperson said.

“It’s important to remember that immunity wanes over time so staying up to date with your vaccinations is your best protection against severe illness.”

The NB. 1.8.1 strain has also been detected in NSW and Western Australia.

Premier Jacinta Allan gets a Covid jab at the height of the pandemic. With a new variant hitting the state Victorians are again being urged to get boosters. Picture: Supplied

Scientists fear the new variant may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains, spread more easily and partially sidestep immunity from prior infections or vaccinations.

It does not, however, appear to cause worse symptoms than previous variants.

The WHO has warned NB. 1.8.1 is increasing in prevalence globally.

The variant is behind large surges in cases in China and Taiwan.

In Hong Kong it is believed responsible for Covid hospitalisations reaching 12-month highs.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has said cases of the new variant have been detected throughout the US, including in New York.

Vaccinations can help reduce the severity of the illness.

It was first detected in the US in late March and early April among tourists arriving at airports in California, Washington State, Virginia and New York City, with additional cases reported in Ohio, Rhode Island and Hawaii.

Experts are warning that the virus’ run in China shows it spreads more quickly than other dominant strains of the respiratory infection.

Subhash Verma, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada said the new variant “appears to have a growth advantage, suggesting it may spread more easily.”

“In other words, it is more transmissible,” she told CBS news.

Originally published as Worrying new Covid variant NB. 1.8.1, wreaking havoc in China, is now in Victoria