India has detected one case of the emerging Covid-19 subvariant NB 181 and four cases of the LF 7 variant, according to recent data released by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG)
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India has detected one case of the emerging Covid-19 subvariant NB 181 and four cases of the LF 7 variant, according to recent data released by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). The NB 181 case was identified in Tamil Nadu in April, while the LF 7 cases were found in Gujarat in May. As of May 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized both NB 181 and LF 7 as Variants Under Monitoring (VUM), a classification below the more serious labels of Variants of Concern (VOC) or Variants of Interest (VOI). However, both subvariants have been linked to a noticeable surge in Covid-19 infections in China and several other Asian regions, raising concerns among global health experts about their potential to spread further if not monitored closely.
In India, the most prevalent variant remains JN 1, which accounts for approximately 53% of all sequenced Covid-19 cases. It is followed by the BA 2 subvariant at 26%, with various other Omicron offshoots making up the remaining 20%. Although the WHO’s initial risk evaluation classifies NB 181 as posing a low global threat to public health, virologists and researchers are closely monitoring its development due to key spike protein mutations, including A435S, V445H, and T478I. These mutations could potentially enhance the virus’s ability to transmit between individuals and evade existing immune protection, especially in populations with waning vaccine immunity.
As of May 19, India reported 257 active Covid-19 cases. While national case counts remain relatively low, health authorities are witnessing localized surges in specific states and cities. Delhi recorded 23 new cases, Andhra Pradesh reported four infections in the past 24 hours, Telangana confirmed one case, and a nine-month-old baby tested positive in Bengaluru. Kerala, in particular, has seen a steady rise in infections, with 273 confirmed cases during the month of May alone, prompting close surveillance.
In response to the evolving situation, the Union Health Ministry convened a high-level review meeting, led by the Director General of Health Services. Experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and other leading public health institutions participated to assess current trends and coordinate preventive measures going forward.
(With inputs from PTI)
