XFG Variant Remains Globally Dominant, NB.1.8.1 Rising
XFG, an Omicron sublineage, accounted for 45% of all globally submitted sequences as of March 2026. Meanwhile NB.1.8.1 climbed to 31% of global sequences and is increasing in the Americas and Western Pacific. WHO classifies both under active monitoring with no elevated severity signal.
Source WHO COVID-19 Dashboard [April 2026] — Support for: variant monitoring