Update: New COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 detected in Ekurhuleni wastewater; surveillance and testing ongoing

The new COVID-19 variant known as Nimbus or NB.1.8.1 has been detected in a wastewater surveillance sample collected on the 3rd June in the City of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province. Testing and sequencing with more recent wastewater samples is ongoing. Details may be found on the NICD SARS-CoV-2 dashboard at (http://www.nicd.wastewater.co.za). SARS-CoV-2 continues to cause very few outpatient or inpatient respiratory illnesses and testing rates amongst the general population remain low. To date, the NICD has not detected this lineage through our sentinel syndromic surveillance systems. However, global experience has shown that wastewater surveillance is able to detect new variants in communities before clinical surveillance confirms their presence.

Whilst NB.1.8.1 has been designated a SARS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring by global health authorities, newer variants of SARS-CoV-2 are continually replacing older ones, as viral mutation leads to immune escape. It is not unexpected to find NB.1.8.1 in South Africa, as travel and trade between countries and affected areas allows ongoing importation and transmission of infectious agents.

The severity of the NB.1.8.1 variant in South Africa is presently unknown. High levels of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 exist in South Africa which may lead to a less severe course of disease in infected persons.

During the winter season, preventing spread of respiratory illnesses including influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 remains important. The public are advised to continue with good hand hygiene practices, covering the mouth when coughing and maintain distance from others when ill. When appropriate, ill persons may wear a mask, especially around individuals at higher risk of severe disease.