Covid-19 Variant JN.1: Centre Issues Advisory To States Due To Rise In Cases, Asks Them To Ensure Adequate Testing

Covid-19 Variant JN.1: The Centre has issued an advisory to states due to the recent surge in Covid-19 cases caused by the Omicron subvariant JN.1 in India.

JN.1: The Centre has advised Indian states to remain vigilant about the recent surge in Covid-19 cases caused by the Omicron subvariant JN.1, and to report and monitor district-wise severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) cases on a regular basis.

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Covid-19 Variant JN.1: The Centre has issued an advisory to states due to the recent surge in Covid-19 cases caused by the Omicron subvariant JN.1 in India. The Centre has advised the states to remain vigilant about the situation, to report and monitor district-wise severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) cases on a regular basis, to ensure adequate testing, including a higher number of Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests, is conducted, and to send positive samples for genetic testing to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) laboratories, according to a statement released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

This is important to ensure that new variants, if any, can be detected early in the country. 

States have also been advised to ensure the active participation of all public and private health facilities in the health ministry's deal, to take stock of their preparedness and response capacities, to promote community awareness to seek their continued support in managing Covid-19, and ensure adherence to respiratory hygiene.

What Is JN.1?

JN.1 has been detected in several parts of Kerala, surveillance conducted by INSACOG has revealed. JN.1 is a mutation of the Omicron subvariant BA.2.86, and was first detected in the United States in September 2023. In the US, JN.1 accounted for 21.4 per cent of cases as of December 12, 2023. 

As of December 8, 2023, JN.1 comprised an estimated 15 to 29 per cent of cases in the US. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, JN.1 is currently the fastest-growing variant in the US, and is projected to continue increasing as a proportion of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences. 

The CDC has been tracking BA.2.86, the Omicron subvariant from which JN.1 emerged, since August 2023. The only difference between BA.2.86 and JN.1 is that of a spike protein. 

In October 2023, JN.1 accounted for less than 0.1 per cent of Covid-19 cases. In just two months, it accounted for 21 per cent of cases. 

The CDC speculates that the continued growth of the variant suggests that JN.1 is either more transmissible or better at evading immune systems. 

Currently, there is no evidence that JN.1 presents an increased risk to public health compared to other variants, and also no indication of increased severity from JN.1. 

The CDC expects that updated Covid-19 vaccines can increase protection against JN.1.

Currently, it is not known whether JN.1 infection results in symptoms different from those caused by other variants. Covid-19 symptoms tend to be similar across variants, and hence, it is believed that JN.1 will not cause any different symptoms. However, the severity may differ. 

It can cause symptoms such as fever or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste of smell, congestion or runny nose, diarrhoea, cough, fatigue, headache, sore throat, and nausea or vomiting. 

The CDC has warned that Covid-19 is likely to increase in January 2024, and hence, people can get the updated Covid-19 vaccine to ensure enhanced protection.