India sees mild impact from NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 Covid variants, no severe cases reported

India is experiencing a mild impact from the Covid-19 variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, with no severe cases or hospitalizations reported so far.

According to INSACOG data, one case of NB.1.8.1 was identified in April in Tamil Nadu and four cases of LF.7 were detected in Gujarat in May. These variants remain under close observation but have not been classified as Variants of Concern or Interest by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO classifies both LF.7 and NB.1.8 subvariants as Variants Under Monitoring, indicating significant changes in virus characteristics but unclear epidemiological impact. Despite mutations linked to increased transmissibility, the preliminary risk assessment by WHO suggests a low public health risk globally.

Health ministry sources reported that as of May 19, India had 257 active cases of these variants, with symptoms described as mild and no hospitalizations required. Officials emphasized there is “no indication that the circulating variants are more transmissible or cause more severe disease compared to the previously circulating variants.”

The most common variant in India remains JN.1, accounting for 53% of samples, followed by BA.2 at 26%, and other Omicron sub-lineages at 20%. Some cases have also been reported in states like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Globally, as of May 18, there were 518 NB.1.8.1 sequences submitted from 22 countries, representing 10.7% of global sequences, highlighting ongoing surveillance efforts.

This data underscores the importance of continued monitoring while reassuring that current variants have not led to increased severity or healthcare burden in India.

India reports mild impact from Covid variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, with no severe cases or hospitalizations. INSACOG detected a few cases in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. WHO classifies these as Variants Under Monitoring, noting low public health risk despite increased transmissibility mutations.