FBI Investigates Covid Origin Amid New Variant Spread

A new COVID-19 variant named NB.1.8.1 has been detected in several regions globally, including the eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and the western Pacific, contributing to a rise in cases. The World Health Organization classifies this variant as a 'variant under monitoring' and assesses the global public health risk as low, with current vaccines expected to remain effective. In the United States, officials have identified the variant in travelers arriving from affected regions, while the dominant strain in the U.S. remains LP.8.1. Concurrently, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced that the bureau is actively investigating a potential cover-up related to the origins of COVID-19, amid renewed scrutiny following the emergence of the new variant. This investigation aligns with ongoing inquiries into whether public health messaging initially downplayed the lab leak theory, which the FBI previously assessed with moderate confidence as a likely source of the virus. Additionally, the U.S. government has taken steps to limit funding for certain types of biological research to prevent future lab leaks, underscoring the continued focus on understanding and mitigating pandemic risks.