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Simple Sore Throat or Dangerous New Variant?
A newly emerging COVID-19 variant that has supposedly “surged” through mainland China has now reached the United States. So say the folks that brought you the original COVID-19 monstrosity.
Identified as NB.1.8.1—nicknamed “Nimbus” in some media outlets, the strain has been confirmed in at least 15 states, according to data compiled by the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). These states include New York, California, and Illinois, all highly COVID-vaccinated states. Other states across the country are also reporting sore throat symptoms.
The private tracking firm’s update comes as Chinese doctors predict a nationwide peak in COVID-19 infections this July. According to China’s National Health Commission, the NB.1.8.1 strain remains the primary driver of the current wave of infections in China.
“Razor Throat” Symptoms Cause Alarm
NB.1.8.1 is accompanied by symptoms that, while similar to prior variants, have drawn particular concern. Many patients have described experiencing a severe sore throat likened to swallowing razor blades. This dramatic symptom has earned the nickname “razor throat” in Chinese media and abroad, including coverage by The Associated Press, India Today, and UK-based outlets.
Other common symptoms tied to NB.1.8.1 include high fever, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and persistent coughing. According to some earlier reporting, Chinese doctors and health professionals have raised concerns about the speed of spread and the intensity of symptoms among both children and adults.
Chinese Propaganda Suggests Global Potential
An internal report from Peking University in Beijing warned that NB.1.8.1 may become the next globally dominant strain.
While official Chinese government figures are often met with skepticism due to the CCP’s history of misreporting, underreporting and controlling pandemic-related information, doctors working on the ground continue to relay firsthand accounts that help paint a clearer picture of what’s happening.
Despite this, the Chinese Communist Party has largely downplayed the threat, mirroring past efforts to suppress early warnings during the initial outbreak of COVID-19.
U.S. Variant Tracking and CDC Response
In the United States, the infamous Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now reports that NB.1.8.1 accounts for roughly 37 percent of sequenced COVID-19 cases, putting it second only to LP.8.1.
Just weeks earlier, the CDC had not been tracking NB.1.8.1 at all. The agency acknowledged in a May 2025 that it is aware of the strain’s activity in China and remains in contact with international health partners.
As of June 19, the variant has been detected in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. For an interactive view of the variant’s spread, visit the GISAID tracking database.
Pro-Pandemic WHO Says Infections Rising
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) update from May 28, the NB.1.8.1 variant accounts for nearly 11 percent of sequenced cases worldwide.
The uptick is particularly noticeable in the Western Pacific, Southeast Asia, and eastern Mediterranean regions. Countries such as Cambodia, Singapore, and Hong Kong have reported increased infections and hospitalizations, although there is no evidence at this point that the new variant causes more severe illness than previous strains.
The WHO classifies NB.1.8.1 as a “variant under monitoring” and continues to assess its spread and health implications. Globally, the variant’s public health risk is still considered low.
Vaccines Remain “Safe and Effective” So Say Officials
In response to concerns about the new strain, the WHO has stated that current COVID-19 vaccines remain effective against NB.1.8.1 in preventing symptomatic and severe cases. However, “evolving” guidance continues to shift in different nations, whatever that means.
Last month, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer being recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. This move reflects an ongoing re-evaluation of vaccine risk-benefit calculations as the virus evolves and public immunity changes.
Mistrust of Communist China’s Transparency Persists
While the global medical community continues to monitor the variant’s spread, many analysts remain wary of Communist Chinese government data. Since 2020, Beijing has been criticized for suppressing crucial COVID-19 information, from infection rates to mortality data.
This longstanding pattern has led doctors and researchers to rely more heavily on independent whistleblowers, internal university studies, and frontline health care workers for accurate reporting. I think the other Who said it best when they sang “We Don’t Get Fooled Again.”
