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Health officials have warned that people could experience a host of nasty and if they contract the latest .

The new variant, named , was designated a "SARS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring (VUM)" on May 23, one of six emerging variants currently under WHO monitoring. As of this month, it has crossed multiple continents, with cases flagged in the UK and in Europe, and further afield in the US and . People have been urged to for days on end if they find they have symptoms of the new Covid variant, which are a far cry from the classic flu-like signs of their predecessors.

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While early signs of Covid once included symptoms like a severe cough, and high fever, NB.1.8.1 is felt most acutely in the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms of the variant include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Heartburn
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain

Dr Lara Herrero, associate professor and virology research leader at Griffith University in Australia, explained in an article posted on that the variant appears to be spreading faster than its predecessors. Of those, Dr Herrero said, it is most similar to subvariants of the lineage.

She said: “The evidence so far suggests NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily and may partially sidestep immunity from prior infections or vaccination.

“Reports suggest symptoms of NB.1.8.1 should align closely with other Omicron subvariants." The WHO has said the same, stating in its report that the variant has obtained a series of mutations that allow it both to spread easier and potentially evade antibody protections afforded to people by previous infections.

The organisation explained: "Spike mutations at position 445 have been shown to enhance binding affinity to hACE2, which could increase the variant’s transmissibility."

It adds: "Mutations at position 435 shown to reduce the neutralisation potency of class 1 andclass 1/4 antibodies, and mutations at position 478 shown to enhance the evasion of Class 1/2 antibodies." People who exhibit any symptoms have been told to stay indoors by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) which advises people to "avoid contact with vulnerable people and stay at home if possible" for 48 hours.