Thiruvananthapuram: A new COVID sub-variant JN.1 has been identified in a woman in Kerala, raising concerns and emphasizing the need for alertness. The Union Ministry of Health on 16 December initiated preparedness measures after the case was identified in Kerela. A mock drill is underway in health facilities across states, evaluating public health and hospital readiness. This exercise, overseen by district collectors, commenced on December 13 and is scheduled for completion by December 18, 2023.
The JN.1 variant of COVID is considered to be the Omicron subvariant BA.2.86 or Pirola. It was first detected in the United States in September 2023. As per a report, on 15 December, China reported several cases of this variant. Chinese authorities claimed that the prevalence level of JN.1 is currently ‘very low’ in that country. However, they refused to rule out the possibility of it becoming the dominant strain in China due to factors including imported cases, as per the report.
The latest data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) confirmed the presence of the new variant in Kerala. National Indian Medical Association COVID Task Force’s co-chairman Dr Rajeev Jayadevan even said that JN.1 may be a contributing factor to the recent surge in India’s Covid cases, which currently stands at 938.
Based on estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, the JN.1 variant now accounts for more than one-fifth of all cases in the United States.
According to CDC’s latest Nowcast reporting period, the JN.1 cases involving mutation make up between 15 percent and 29 percent of COVID-19 infections, which previously accounted for an estimated 8 percent of cases.
Though this is yet to be figured out on the seriousness of the variant, Dr Jayadevan of IMA said the severity of the cases include disabling fatigue – lasting around 48 hours, and upper respiratory symptoms like sore throat and cough.
Meanwhile, the CDC says, the JN.1 could be more transmissible and better at slipping past people’s immune systems, especially with a pattern of respiratory illnesses increasing in winter months. This may rise as most people during this time stay indoors, or visit friends and family for the holidays.
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