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Cases of the new Covid variant are surging (Image: Getty)
Thailand's government has urged people to boost their precautions against Covid, as cases of a new strain of the virus surge.The Southeast Asian country is a huge hit with travellers, attracting around 35 million last year alone. The country is a firm favourite with British holidaymakers, with over 700,000 visiting the country in 2024.
However, health officials in Thailand have the number of people coming down with the NB.1.8.1 strain explode in recent weeks and months. Some 257,280 cases of the new Covid variant have been recorded in the country, with 52 deaths.
Thailand is a popular destination with Brits (Image: Getty)
The outbreak has led Thailand's government to issue a health warning to the general public and travellers.
Deputy government spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak said people should "limit activities that increase the risk of infection, wash their hands regularly, wear masks in crowded places, get booster vaccinations when due, and seek medical attention promptly if experiencing symptoms".
He warned that that the onset of the rainy season and international travel could help to spread the virus.
Cases of the virus have been surging since mid-February and are now at their highest rate since last June
The WHO has designated the new strain NB.1.8.1 as a "variant under monitoring" amid concern about the sharp rise in cases.
The virus has been detected in other popular travel destinations, such as Egypt and the Maldives.
Cases have also been reported in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Health authorities in Northern Ireland confirmed seven cases of the new variant, in the past eight weeks.
Symptoms include a sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion.
Some patients have also come down with Gastrointestinal symptoms, according to health officials.
Experts say NB.1.8.1 carries multiple mutations that "may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains" and now accounts for over 10% of global Covid infections.
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However there is as yet no indication that the new strain causes severe illness in patients.
Dr Lara Herrero, Associate Professor and Virology Research Leader at Griffith University, said: "Importantly, the WHO has not yet observed any evidence it causes more severe disease compared to other variants.
Reports suggest symptoms of NB.1.8.1 should align closely with other Omicron subvariants."
English (US) · 