DE: NB.1.8.1 COVID claims distorted, not 70% severe.

Khaosod•Society•5h ago

Reader Briefing

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) has refuted claims that the NB.1.8.1 COVID-19 variant is widely spread in Thailand and causing severe sore throats in 70% of cases, clarifying it constitutes 50.95% and there's no evidence of increased severity.

•The NB.1.8.1 COVID-19 variant is present in Thailand, identified as the main strain in 50.95% of detected samples.
•The DE, Department of Disease Control, and Ministry of Public Health have confirmed that reports of 70% of infections causing severe sore throats are distorted information.
•While the NB.1.8.1 variant shows increased transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities, there is no evidence it leads to more severe illness.
•COVID-19 cases saw an increase between May 10-16, with NB.1.8.1 being the dominant variant.

Overview

•The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) is reinforcing awareness against technology crime and distorted information.
•On May 28, AFNC identified the most popular news items and categorized them as 6 fake news and 2 distorted news.
•DE, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, confirmed the claim of NB.1.8.1 strain causing 70% severe sore throats is 'distorted information'.
•Between January 1, 2025 (2025) and April 23, 2026 (2026), NB.1.8.1 was the main strain in Thailand, accounting for 50.95% of samples.
•In 2025 (2025), patient numbers and cluster outbreaks increased significantly during April – June.
•The NB.1.8.1 variant is a mutation improving spread and immune evasion but lacks evidence of increased severity.
•Between May 10 – 16, 12,700 COVID-19 cases were reported, an increase from approximately 8,000 the previous week.
•The average daily hospitalizations increased from 56 to 73 individuals, with NB.1.8.1 being the dominant strain detected in over half of domestic cases.

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Key Quotes

Watcharaphong Phuprasert

"DE, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, confirm it is "distorted information"."

ดีอี กรมควบคุมโรค กระทรวงสาธารณสุข ยืนยันเป็น “ข่าวบิดเบือน”

Watcharaphong Phuprasert

"NB.1.8.1 strain is the main strain for transmission during the same period."

สายพันธุ์ NB.1.8.1 เป็นสายพันธุ์หลักในการแพร่ระบาดในช่วงเวลาเดียวกัน

Watcharaphong Phuprasert

"There is no evidence that it causes more severe illness."

ยังไม่มีหลักฐานว่าทำให้เกิดโรครุนแรงมากขึ้น

Key Entities

Organization

Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE)(ดีอี)

The organization clarifying information about COVID-19 strains and combating misinformation.

Anti-Fake News Center Thailand (AFNC)(ศูนย์ต่อต้านข่าวปลอมประเทศไทย (AFNC))

The organization that flagged and verified news, identifying 6 fake and 2 distorted stories.

Department of Disease Control(กรมควบคุมโรค)

A government department that, along with DE and Ministry of Public Health, confirmed information about the NB.1.8.1 variant.

Ministry of Public Health(กระทรวงสาธารณสุข)

A government ministry that, along with DE and Department of Disease Control, confirmed information about the NB.1.8.1 variant.

Person

Watcharaphong Phuprasert(นายเวทางค์ พ่วงทรัพย์)

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) who provided commentary.