A new variant of COVID-19 is spreading across the U.S., causing a painful symptom dubbed “razor blade throat.”
COVID variant NB.1.8.1, nicknamed Nimbus, accounts for more than a third of COVID cases in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. First detected in January of this year, the strain has been detected in at least 22 countries and is on the rise worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
In the U.S., it has been confirmed in California, Washington state, Virginia and New York. It is unclear if Texas has seen any cases. The state’s figures were last updated May 10 on the CDC’s website.
Nationwide, Nimbus accounted for 37% of COVID cases from May 25 to June 7, more than double its share from the previous two weeks, according to the CDC. The Omicron variant was slightly more common, at 38%.
Painful sore throats have been a common symptom of previous COVID strains, but Nimbus is gaining attention for what some describe as excruciating pain. Patients have likened the sensation to swallowing razor blades or shards of glass. Other symptoms include fatigue, cough, fever, muscle aches and congestion.
In a report released last month, WHO says it is monitoring the strain but that it does not appear to pose an additional public health threat compared to other variants. COVID vaccines are effective in preventing the Nimbus strain.
Confusion about who will be eligible to get a vaccine this fall is growing. Last month, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women — a move questioned by some public health experts.
The announcement came as the Food and Drug Administration provided new requirements for the shots, saying the vaccine would be available to adults 65 and older and children and younger adults with at least one health problem that puts them at higher risk.
Following recommendations by infectious disease experts, health officials in the U.S. had been urging annual COVID boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.