The Department of Medical Sciences (DMSC) is closely monitoring the Covid-19 variant NB.1.8.1, which is anticipated to become the dominant strain in Thailand.
Dr. Yongyot Thummavudhi, the director-general of the DMSC, stated yesterday that the World Health Organization continues to observe Omicron variants, including Variants of Interest like JN.1 and Variants under Monitoring, which currently includes six strains.
These six strains are KP.3, KP.3.1.1, LB.1, XEC, LP.8.1, and NB.1.8.1.
According to data from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data, covering March 31 to April 27, LP.8.1 remained the most prevalent variant after 14 weeks, though cases gradually declined over the following three weeks. Conversely, NB.1.8.1 increased from 2.5% to 10.7% of total cases during that time.
XEC infections also decreased slightly from 22.3% in week 14 to 17.8% by week 17.
Dr. Yongyot explained that NB.1.8.1, a subvariant of Omicron originating from the hybrid strain XDV.1.5.1, was first identified on January 22 and is now detected in 22 countries.
