Rapidly spreading corona variant JN.1 to be classified as a new variantÂ
Pune : Study Finds JN.1 Variant of COVID-19 Mirrors Previous Variants in Clinical Features: Research Highlights
Though the health risk posed by JN.1 is currently low, despite this, with the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, JN.1 could increase the burden of respiratory infections in many countries.
Some countries have sounded the alert for people to wear masks in crowded and public areas, including Singapore and India.
It was first detected in the United States in September 2023, China detected seven infections of the particular sub-variant on December 15.
The WHO says that based on currently available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low. Nations would do well to prepare ahead for a possible cascade of respiratory infections, and treat them effectively, preventing severe disease and death.
The World Health Organisation, has decided, due to its rapid spread, to classify the variant JN.1 as a separate variant of interest (VOI) from the parent lineage BA.2.86. It was previously classified as VOI as part of BA.2.86 sublineages.
Total of 358 Covid cases have been reported across the country in the past 24 hours, 300 of them in Kerala. Six people died due to Covid-related complications during this period. The country has 2,669 active cases of Covid, according to the Union Health Ministry.
The identification of a sub variant – JN.1 – sparked fresh interest in the epidemiological world and has sounded the need for caution.
It is always better to keep yourself safe. It is important to take precautionary measures like, if you are trapped in a situation where it’s ventilated, closed, crowded, you feel the air is still and there are people around you, it’s safer to wear a mask. If you are travelling in a vehicle with multiple people who you don’t know, wear a mask or at least roll your windows down.
