Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodia's Ministry of Health on May 25 issued a public advisory urging citizens to remain cautious and continue following health measures to prevent the spread of the new COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1.
According to the ministry, several countries worldwide have recently reported increasing cases linked to the new variant, particularly in the Western Pacific region where the virus is currently circulating and spreading.
The ministry explained that the new variant is a descendant strain of the Omicron JN.1 lineage. On May 23, the World Health Organisation classified the variant as a “Variant Under Monitoring” after observing a rapid rise in genome sequencing detections globally, especially across Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific.
Health authorities stressed that there is currently no scientific evidence indicating that the new variant causes more severe illness, higher hospitalisation rates or increased mortality compared to previously circulating Omicron variants.
Cambodia previously detected the strain between May and December last year. Since the beginning of this year, the ministry’s Communicable Disease Control Department identified one positive case on May 18, among patients seeking treatment at hospitals, according to the ministry’s official reporting system.
In light of the situation, the ministry has called on the public to remain vigilant and continue observing preventive measures against influenza and all forms of COVID-19, advising citizens to wear masks and wash hands frequently with soap or alcohol-based sanitiser.
To cover one’s mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing using the elbow, mask, scarf, tissue or handkerchief, and properly dispose of used tissues in closed bins.
To seek immediate medical consultation at health centres or hospitals if experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, runny nose or breathing difficulties and to continue receiving full COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster doses, at hospitals or health centres to strengthen immunity./.
Cambodia promulgates law on military service
The law, comprised of eight chapters and 20 articles, was officially announced on May 25 after about a month of review and appraisal by many high-level bodies.
