Report New Covid-19 Variant NB.1.8.1 Gains Ground in Thailand

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand's health experts are on high alert as a new Covid-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, emerges as a potential dominant strain. Dr Yongyot Thummavudhi, head of the Department of Medical Sciences (DMSC), unveiled on 29th May that the World Health Organisation (WHO) is keeping a vigilant eye on multiple Omicron variants. Among them, NB.1.8.1 is attracting particular attention.

 

The six variants under current scrutiny include KP.3, KP.3.1.1, LB.1, XEC, LP.8.1, and notably, NB.1.8.1. Data from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) revealed that while the LP.8.1 variant was prevalent earlier this year, its presence has waned in recent weeks. In contrast, NB.1.8.1 has surged, increasing from 2.5% to 10.7% of cases within a month, indicating its rapid rise.

 

NB.1.8.1, a subvariant of Omicron, traces its lineage to the hybrid XDV.1.5.1 strain and was first identified in Thailand on January 22. It has since been detected in 22 countries. Dr Yongyot stressed the importance of understanding these variants to effectively manage their spread and impact.

 

The DMSC is collaborating with WHO and international partners to gauge these variants' effects on public health and vaccine efficacy. As the virus evolves, authorities continue to advise maintaining vigilance, practicing good hygiene, and adhering to vaccination protocols to counter the spread.

 

Meanwhile, Phuket, despite being a popular tourist destination, ranks third for Covid-19 infections in Thailand this year, with 1,287 cases from January 1 to May 10. The island's infection rate stands at 317.82 per 100,000 people, trailing only Bangkok and Chon Buri. Remarkably, Phuket has reported no deaths despite its high case count.

 

Nationally, Thailand has documented 73,070 Covid-19 cases and 25 deaths this year, reflecting a low mortality rate of 0.043 per 100,000 people. This statistic underscores the effectiveness of the country's health measures in managing the ongoing pandemic.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-30

 

 

[BangkokReady]

By all accounts it's a lot milder, so this seems to be a good thing.  Smother out the more harmful variants, then keep mutating until it all but disappears.

[connda]

We need the old Covid score boards again.  Variant on the X-Axis, number of cases on the Y-Axis.  Sweet Mother Mary, here we go again.  

However, with that said, I went shopping at Big C and Makro today and was pleasantly surprised that the majority of other shoppers were maskless.  I'd say that maybe only 5% were wearing masks.  The employees in one of those two stores must mandate that their laborers wear masks.  That must suck.  Variants - what a load of malarkey. The media is out to scare the commoners again with Covid fear-porn.  Doesn't seem to be working this time around which is good.

[connda]

KP.3, KP.3.1.1, LB.1, XEC, LP.8.1, and notably, NB.1.8.1 

KDNO.3L.349  MKEJ.398.3  UI09U3.3NSS.33.3.3111 P83K.4.RX1  Looks like my cat walking on a keyboard. 
 

[dinsdale]

Nothing unusual. Several sub-variants with one becoming dominant. Remember that Omicron booted out Delta to become the dominant variant because of it's rapid infection rate. Now sub-variants of the original dominant Omicron variant compete for dominance. NB.1.8.1 if it does became the dominant sub-variant will eventually be replaced, as natural immunity grows against it in the population, by new sub-variants with one becoming dominant. This process will continue. All these sub-variants though are non-severe.

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Remarkably, Phuket has reported no deaths despite its high case count.

Why is it remarkable? It's a non-severe viral infection. 

 

 

Nationally, Thailand has documented 73,070 Covid-19 cases and 25 deaths this year, reflecting a low mortality rate of 0.043 per 100,000 people. This statistic underscores the effectiveness of the country's health measures in managing the ongoing pandemic.

No it doesn't. It reflects the reality that it's a non-severe viral infection.

[MaskLover2025]

9 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Why is it remarkable? It's a non-severe viral infection. 

 

 

Nationally, Thailand has documented 73,070 Covid-19 cases and 25 deaths this year, reflecting a low mortality rate of 0.043 per 100,000 people. This statistic underscores the effectiveness of the country's health measures in managing the ongoing pandemic.

No it doesn't. It reflects the reality that it's a non-severe viral infection.

Exactly - these figures do not justify the seemingly endless hysteria around covid in Thailand. There are at least several articles daily about covid, all accompanied by ridiculous imagery designed to inculcate fear and anxiety into an already psychologically broken populace. The fact this relentless hysteria is so effective in moulding the behaviour of Thai people speaks volumes about what kind of society it is.

[dinsdale]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

ongoing pandemic

I missed this bit. It hasn't been a pandemic for years. It's now endemic not pandemic.

[WDSmart]

I've started wearing a mask again when I go to places with a lot of people.

Has anyone heard of a vaccine for this new strain? And if the government is planning on making it available to the public?

[newbee2022]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand's health experts are on high alert as a new Covid-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, emerges as a potential dominant strain. Dr Yongyot Thummavudhi, head of the Department of Medical Sciences (DMSC), unveiled on 29th May that the World Health Organisation (WHO) is keeping a vigilant eye on multiple Omicron variants. Among them, NB.1.8.1 is attracting particular attention.

 

The six variants under current scrutiny include KP.3, KP.3.1.1, LB.1, XEC, LP.8.1, and notably, NB.1.8.1. Data from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) revealed that while the LP.8.1 variant was prevalent earlier this year, its presence has waned in recent weeks. In contrast, NB.1.8.1 has surged, increasing from 2.5% to 10.7% of cases within a month, indicating its rapid rise.

 

NB.1.8.1, a subvariant of Omicron, traces its lineage to the hybrid XDV.1.5.1 strain and was first identified in Thailand on January 22. It has since been detected in 22 countries. Dr Yongyot stressed the importance of understanding these variants to effectively manage their spread and impact.

 

The DMSC is collaborating with WHO and international partners to gauge these variants' effects on public health and vaccine efficacy. As the virus evolves, authorities continue to advise maintaining vigilance, practicing good hygiene, and adhering to vaccination protocols to counter the spread.

 

Meanwhile, Phuket, despite being a popular tourist destination, ranks third for Covid-19 infections in Thailand this year, with 1,287 cases from January 1 to May 10. The island's infection rate stands at 317.82 per 100,000 people, trailing only Bangkok and Chon Buri. Remarkably, Phuket has reported no deaths despite its high case count.

 

Nationally, Thailand has documented 73,070 Covid-19 cases and 25 deaths this year, reflecting a low mortality rate of 0.043 per 100,000 people. This statistic underscores the effectiveness of the country's health measures in managing the ongoing pandemic.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-30

 

 

Wearing mask and try to keep  distance to other people is obligatory 

[newbee2022]

14 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Why is it remarkable? It's a non-severe viral infection. 

 

 

Nationally, Thailand has documented 73,070 Covid-19 cases and 25 deaths this year, reflecting a low mortality rate of 0.043 per 100,000 people. This statistic underscores the effectiveness of the country's health measures in managing the ongoing pandemic.

No it doesn't. It reflects the reality that it's a non-severe viral infection.

Hello Alu-Hat 🥰 

[howlee101]

Meanwhile, Anutin get COVID-19 booster #57.... promotes everyone to get the jab from his clinic 😏

[dinsdale]

1 minute ago, newbee2022 said:

Hello Alu-Hat 🥰 

Outstanding display of your maturity. 

[BangkokReady]

15 hours ago, connda said:

Doesn't seem to be working this time around which is good.

 

It only took Thailand two years more than the rest of the world, but thankfully it isn't as bad now as it was.

[JaxxBKK]

I don't care at all and never did. I pass colds in 5-10 days. Never got COVID and worked in schools during that sad period of human folly. Took public transport and touch everything, continued to shop in stores and markets, went maskless as much as possible.

 

In laws got COVID and we're a bit I'll. Mil a bit in her lung. Sil and nieces got COVID and had pizza party in hotel courtesy of govt

 

Total sham. Damaged so many people financially, ruined lives

 

Many people still on this board were big vaxxers and supporters of the fascism. Now, they whine about Trump. How ironic

 

 

[LittleBear57]

Daughters school in Sattahip has told the kids to wear masks again. FFS.

[BangkokReady]

14 hours ago, MaskLover2025 said:

The fact this relentless hysteria is so effective in moulding the behaviour of Thai people speaks volumes about what kind of society it is.

 

My thoughts exactly.  It was really surprising/disappointing to me to see how easily many Thai people came to believe that every foreigner has covid, and that they have some sort of special more dangerous variant.  It really doesn't paint a very positive picture about them.

 

One of the things that seemed striking about the earthquake, was that you were able to talk to Thai people about an important and worrying event without it feeling like there was any kind of "us and them" going on.

[blaze master]

I eat covid for breakfast.

[Sydebolle]

The WHO is losing shareholders left, right and centre. An excellent moment to re-endorse their need on the planet, despite costing billions (with a B not an M) of dollars with meager results. 

NAZI Göring was asked during the Nuremberg trials by the British judge, how the Nazi managed to get everybody following their (ill-gotten) doctrines. Without blinking an eye, Göring apparently answered, that there is nothing simpler than that and said "scare the people to death and you can do with them what you want."

I had second and third thoughts on that statement 50+ years ago when I went to school and can attest today, that Göring was spot on. So, whenever things do not really work out, if a clear message of the super powers is needed, then throw in fear. The Egyptians, Greek, Romans did it, the Middle Age was one fear-period to the next one; the 20th century saw the "perfection" of fear influx, in this part of the world with two World Wars, North Korea, Indochina, the Cambodian genocide, the Burmese genocide and we have no clue, what really happens inside the Chinese borders either. 

So take all this with the necessary grain of salt; vigilance is always good but to this day somebody needs to prove, that Covid is nothing but a highly infectious flu and has flared up every few years since the beginning of mankind; all those flu viruses originate from the corona-family - so I have been told. Common sense is the day's doctrine so act accordingly. 

[newbee2022]

27 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Outstanding display of your maturity. 

Outstanding display of your lack of knowledge unfortunately, but expected. So no surprise as always

[dinsdale]

5 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Outstanding display of your lack of knowledge unfortunately, but expected. So no surprise as always

Ah I see. I've not seen this term before but calling me a tinfoil hat wearing conspiracy theorist because I state facts says more about you than me.

[spidermike007]

Is the low mortality rate due to the countries effectiveness in dealing with covid, or is it due to the fact that as this virus evolves it seems to become weaker and weaker, and cause fewer and fewer fatalities. Personally I'm much more concerned about catching a flu than I am covid. 

[newbee2022]

14 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Ah I see. I've not seen this term before but calling me a tinfoil hat wearing conspiracy theorist because I state facts says more about you than me.

Look for an idiot for your way of conversation. It's not me 

[dinsdale]

10 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Is the low mortality rate due to the countries effectiveness in dealing with covid, or is it due to the fact that as this virus evolves it seems to become weaker and weaker, and cause fewer and fewer fatalities. Personally I'm much more concerned about catching a flu than I am covid. 

It's the nature of the Omicron variant/sub-variants. Increases in transmissibility whilst the severity either stays the same or lessens. Basically it's evolved into a highly transmissible non-severe virus that's now endemic.  

[hotchilli]

43 minutes ago, LittleBear57 said:

Daughters school in Sattahip has told the kids to wear masks again. FFS.

Next doors daughter has it, she has been home from school all this week.

She says, 6 others in her class of 38 have also been sent home.

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, LittleBear57 said:

Daughters school in Sattahip has told the kids to wear masks again. FFS.

Very good advice by school teachers!

👍

[Patong2021]

Covid deaths are under reported in Thailand.

Unless an autopsy is performed the cause of death of a person is not really identified.

Thailand, as a practice does not perform autopsies unless the death is suspicious in nature (e.g. crime, suicide) or occurs while in custody of the police.

Most of the elderly who die of complications brought on by Covid are not classified as dying because of Covid if they die outside of the healthcare system.  It is only when they are admitted to a hospital or have been officially diagnosed that the death is counted.

 

17 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

By all accounts it's a lot milder, so this seems to be a good thing.  Smother out the more harmful variants, then keep mutating until it all but disappears.

 It is not necessarily a lot milder. Rather, vaccination and previous exposure has allowed a better immune system response.

 

16 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Why is it remarkable? It's a non-severe viral infection. 

Nationally, Thailand has documented 73,070 Covid-19 cases and 25 deaths this year, reflecting a low mortality rate of 0.043 per 100,000 people. This statistic underscores the effectiveness of the country's health measures in managing the ongoing pandemic.

No it doesn't. It reflects the reality that it's a non-severe viral infection.

 

The illness is still severe in the unvaccinated  high risk population.  The Thai people who do not seek medical assistance, like the rural elderly, and who die, are often tabulated as natural deaths, i.e. old age.

 

1 hour ago, BangkokReady said:

My thoughts exactly.  It was really surprising/disappointing to me to see how easily many Thai people came to believe that every foreigner has covid, and that they have some sort of special more dangerous variant.  It really doesn't paint a very positive picture about them.

 

One of the things that seemed striking about the earthquake, was that you were able to talk to Thai people about an important and worrying event without it feeling like there was any kind of "us and them" going on.

 

The believe that  foreigners were  high risk vectors of Covid was valid. It was the foreign visitor who brought the  diseases to much of Thailand. This was demonstrated by the Ko Samui infections. The Europeans imported the  disease, and then infected other Europeans who returned to Europe with the infection. They also infected the local  hospitality staff, who fortunately stayed in Ko Samui. This model of transmission was also observed in Phuket. With Europeans infecting the other   visitors brought the infection back to their homelands. And of course there were the Chinese  who  left a trail of infections.  The disease was not homegrown and was imported.

[dinsdale]

2 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

The illness is still severe in the unvaccinated  high risk population.  The Thai people who do not seek medical assistance, like the rural elderly, and who die, are often tabulated as natural deaths, i.e. old age.

A non-severe infection means that for the vast majority it is what it says. Non-severe. Just like the common cold for the vast majority is non-severe.

[BangkokReady]

7 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

17 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

By all accounts it's a lot milder, so this seems to be a good thing.  Smother out the more harmful variants, then keep mutating until it all but disappears.

 It is not necessarily a lot milder. Rather, vaccination and previous exposure has allowed a better immune system response.

 

No.  It's milder.

[BangkokReady]

7 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

1 hour ago, BangkokReady said:

My thoughts exactly.  It was really surprising/disappointing to me to see how easily many Thai people came to believe that every foreigner has covid, and that they have some sort of special more dangerous variant.  It really doesn't paint a very positive picture about them.

 

One of the things that seemed striking about the earthquake, was that you were able to talk to Thai people about an important and worrying event without it feeling like there was any kind of "us and them" going on.

 

The believe that  foreigners were  high risk vectors of Covid was valid. It was the foreign visitor who brought the  diseases to much of Thailand. This was demonstrated by the Ko Samui infections. The Europeans imported the  disease, and then infected other Europeans who returned to Europe with the infection. They also infected the local  hospitality staff, who fortunately stayed in Ko Samui. This model of transmission was also observed in Phuket. With Europeans infecting the other   visitors brought the infection back to their homelands. And of course there were the Chinese  who  left a trail of infections.  The disease was not homegrown and was imported.

 

Not at all.  Once the virus was in Thailand, there was zero reason to think that all foreigners have covid.  You're being ridiculous.  Also, both foreigners and Thais brought the virus to Thailand.  The big break out of the variant that started the big spread in Thailand (I think it was Delta) was brought in by Thais coming illegally from Cambodia.

 

You're completely wrong about everything you have written.