New COVID Variant Could Disrupt Summer Plans as Experts Warn of Silent Surge

Just as summer travel heats up and life feels increasingly normal, a new COVID-19 variant named NB.1.8.1 is quietly making its way across parts of the U.S., with health experts warning it may trigger a mild to moderate summer surge in infections.

The World Health Organization has officially labeled NB.1.8.1 a “variant under monitoring” due to its fast spread across China, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe and the Americas. It has already been detected in U.S. states including California, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia, and New York.

Though NB.1.8.1 doesn’t appear to cause more severe illness than earlier strains, its increased transmissibility and timing are concerning. Summer has historically brought COVID spikes, and with less than 25% of U.S. adults boosted and overall immunity waning, the population may be more vulnerable than it seems.

“We’re ripe for another wave,” warned Dr. Andy Pekosz of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “The longer we go without a booster, the more people are susceptible.”

NB.1.8.1 is a descendant of the Omicron lineage, which remains dominant globally. It shares similarities with LP.8.1, the current leading strain in the U.S., but includes additional mutations that could make it even more contagious. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has yet to add NB.1.8.1 to its dashboard, citing fewer than 20 confirmed sequences nationwide.

“It’s still early,” said virologist Dr. Scott Roberts of Yale School of Medicine. “But we’ve seen this pattern before. New variants emerge quietly, then pick up speed.”

Wastewater surveillance, now a key tool for tracking COVID trends due to reduced case reporting, currently shows low activity—but experts expect this to shift quickly. “COVID trends have become like a two-humped camel,” said Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt. “It surges twice a year, and summer is coming.”

What Are the Symptoms of NB.1.8.1?

So far, NB.1.8.1 presents symptoms similar to previous Omicron strains:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose or congestion
• Fatigue
• Fever or chills
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of taste or smell

While most infections are mild, high-risk individuals—seniors, immunocompromised people, and unvaccinated children—remain vulnerable to severe illness and long COVID.

Should You Get Vaccinated?

Doctors urge those who haven’t had a recent booster to get vaccinated, especially before peak summer travel. NB.1.8.1 is genetically close to JN.1, which is covered by current vaccines.

Although the FDA has approved updated vaccines for the fall, eligibility will be limited to older adults and those with underlying conditions. Notably, the CDC no longer recommends COVID shots for healthy children and pregnant women, a controversial move that many doctors have criticized.

“If you’re eligible now, don’t wait,” said Dr. Thomas Russo of the University at Buffalo. “Vaccination remains the best defense.”

What’s Next?

While it’s still uncertain if NB.1.8.1 will become the dominant strain in the U.S., past patterns suggest that a summer uptick is likely.

With testing and tracking reduced, it’s harder than ever to anticipate peaks. That means individual precautions matter more—especially for vulnerable families.

Preventive tips include:

• Stay current with vaccines
• Test when symptomatic or exposed
• Wear N95 masks in crowded indoor areas
• Stay home when unwell
• Avoid contact with sick individuals

“The virus isn’t done with us,” said Schaffner. “And we shouldn’t be done fighting back.”