Covid subvariant JN.1 case detected in Kerala, raises concerns

The Covid subvariant JN.1, a descendant of BA.2.86, has been detected in parts of Kerala, triggering concerns about its impact. The India SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), which is a multi-laboratory, multi-agency, pan-India network tasked with sequencing and keeping an eye on new threatening Covid 19 variants, has done surveillance where JN.1 has been found in Kerala.

As per the sources, the sample from a 79-year-old woman had returned a positive result in an RT-PCR test on November 18, adding that she had mild symptoms of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and had recovered from COVID-19.

Earlier, an Indian traveller was also detected with JN.1 sub-variant in Singapore. The person was a native of Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirapalli district and had travelled to Singapore on October 25. No increase in cases was observed in Tiruchirapalli district or other places in Tamil Nadu following the strain being detected in them. “No other case of JN.1 variant has been detected in India,” the source said.

The source added that initial data suggests that updated vaccines and treatments will still offer protection against JN.1 sub-strain. 

Coming back to Kerala, where JN.1 has been discovered in the southern state, surveillance has been conducted by the India SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), a multi-laboratory, multi-agency, pan-Indian network tasked with sequencing and monitoring new dangerous Covid-19 variants.