Ministry of Health Reports One New COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 Case, Urges Public Vigilance

PHNOM PENH – May 25, 2026 – The Ministry of Health has reported one confirmed case of the new COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 detected on May 18 among patients seeking healthcare services, while urging the public to remain vigilant as the variant circulates in several countries.

The NB.1.8.1 variant, a descendant of the Omicron JN.1 lineage, is currently spreading in the Western Pacific region, including China, Singapore, and Hong Kong. On May 23, 2025, the World Health Organization classified it as a "variant under monitoring" after observing a rapid increase in global virus sequencing data, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific.


Cambodia previously detected NB.1.8.1 cases between May and December 2025. The latest case was identified through the Ministry's infectious disease surveillance system. To date, no scientific evidence confirms that NB.1.8.1 causes more severe illness, increased hospitalization, or higher mortality rates compared to previous Omicron variants.
The Ministry urges citizens to wear masks, wash hands frequently, cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, seek medical consultation if experiencing fever, cough, headache, runny nose, or difficulty breathing, and complete their full COVID-19 vaccination series including boosters.

Source: Ministry of Health, Cambodia, May 25, 2026.


Reported by The Khmer Daily Desk