A highly contagious new COVID-19 strain, NB.1.8.1, which has triggered a surge in hospitalizations in China and is rapidly spreading across multiple continents, has been detected in the United States, exposing Nigeria's dangerous lack of preparedness as federal health authorities remain conspicuously silent on protective measures.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the variant was first detected in America between late March and early April 2025 through airport surveillance testing among international travelers arriving in major cities including New York and Washington.

"CDC is aware of reported cases of COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 in China and is in regular contact with international partners," a CDC spokesperson stated, highlighting the coordinated international response that Nigeria appears to be missing.

While the CDC acknowledges limited reported cases prevent full national estimates, experts have warned that NB.1.8.1 spreads significantly faster than other recent virus strains, raising urgent questions about Nigeria's readiness to detect and contain potential outbreaks.

Alarming Global Spread

NB.1.8.1 is a subvariant of Omicron JN.1 and is considered highly infectious. The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated it a "variant under monitoring" due to its increasing global prevalence and potential to evade immunity from previous infections or vaccinations.

Recent WHO data reveals the variant accounted for 10.7 percent of sequenced COVID-19 cases globally between April 21-27, a dramatic increase from just 2.5 percent the previous month—a surge that should alarm any responsible health system.

While early findings suggest the variant doesn't cause more severe illness than others, health authorities worldwide are intensifying monitoring efforts. Reported symptoms include sore throat, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, nasal congestion, and gastrointestinal issues in some cases.

Amy Edwards, a pediatric infectious disease expert at Case Western Reserve University, told CBS News there is laboratory evidence that this variant binds more tightly to human cells, making transmission easier.

Edwards noted that although the variant doesn't appear more dangerous regarding severity, "what they're seeing in China, Hong Kong and some other areas where this variant has surged is an increase in hospitalizations"—a warning that should prompt immediate Nigerian action.

International Detection and Response

Beyond China and the US, NB.1.8.1 has been detected in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, France, Spain, and the Netherlands, demonstrating the variant's rapid global spread.

In Australia, genomic sequencing showed the variant now accounts for over 40 percent of COVID-19 cases in Victoria and has become the dominant strain in wastewater samples in Perth.

These developments have prompted renewed surveillance efforts across multiple countries. South Korean officials announced Friday that their government is closely monitoring COVID-19 cases in China and Hong Kong, showcasing the proactive approach Nigeria lacks.

Despite the surge, WHO stated that NB.1.8.1 is not currently considered a greater public health risk than previously circulating variants. However, its rapid transmission ability remains a significant concern that demands immediate attention.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in late 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has continued evolving, producing multiple variants including the original strain, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron, each with different severity levels, transmissibility, and vaccine resistance.

NB.1.8.1 represents the latest evolution from the Omicron lineage, which first appeared in late 2021 and became globally dominant due to its rapid spread capability.

Nigeria's Dangerous Silence

Most alarmingly, Nigerian health authorities have issued no formal guidelines or updates concerning NB.1.8.1 as of this report.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has not publicly acknowledged the variant's existence or provided guidance on travel protocols, testing procedures, or potential local surveillance measures—a shocking abdication of responsibility.

The NCDC's silence becomes even more concerning given that the agency has been providing fewer COVID-19 updates since global cases and deaths declined, suggesting a dangerous complacency that could leave millions of Nigerians vulnerable.

This lack of preparation and communication represents a critical failure in protecting Nigerian citizens against a variant already spreading rapidly across multiple continents and triggering increased hospitalizations wherever it appears.

With international travelers constantly arriving in Nigeria's major cities, the absence of enhanced surveillance, testing protocols, or public health advisories leaves the country dangerously exposed to another potential COVID-19 surge.