JN.1 is a subvariant of the Omicron strain of COVID-19 that was first detected in the US in September 2023. It has one less mutation on the spike protein than another Omicron subvariant, J1 The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified JN.1 as a “variant of interest” and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has called it the fastest growing variant in the US
According to the news agencies, India has confirmed 21 cases of JN.1 as of December 19, 2023.Most of these cases were reported from Kerala, where the first case of JN.1 in India was detected on December 8. The patient had mild symptoms and recovered without any treatment.However, the Centre has issued an advisory to states to increase their vigilance and testing, as JN.1 may have some immune escape potential and may reduce the effectiveness of vaccines and natural immunity
The exact impact of JN.1 on India is not clear yet, as there is limited data on the prevalence and characteristics of this variant in the country. However, some experts have expressed concern that JN.1 may pose a threat to India’s fragile health system and vaccine rollout, especially in the wake of the recent surge in cases in Kerala and neighbouring states.Therefore, the WHO has urged countries, including India, to enhance their testing, tracing, isolation, and vaccination efforts to prevent the spread of JN.1 and other variants.
Most patients complained about respiratory symptoms which stayed till 4-5 days.
The symptoms of JN.1 appear to be similar to those caused by other strains of COVID-19, which include:
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle ache
JN.1 is a subvariant of the Omicron strain of COVID-19 that has one less mutation on the spike protein than another Omicron subvariant, J1 The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified JN.1 as a “variant of interest” and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has called it the fastest growing variant in the US
According to the news , JN.1 may have some advantages over other variants, such as:
- Higher transmissibility: JN.1 may spread more easily from person to person than other strains, especially in indoor settings and among unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people
- Immune escape potential: JN.1 may reduce the effectiveness of vaccines and natural immunity, making it harder for the immune system to recognize and fight off the virus
- Faster growth rate: JN.1 has increased rapidly in the US and other countries, outcompeting other variants such as HV.1, BA.2.86, and EG.5
However, JN.1 also has some limitations, such as:
- No evidence of increased severity: JN.1 does not appear to cause more severe illness or death than other variants, based on the available data
- No evidence of reduced testing or treatment efficacy: JN.1 can be detected by the current COVID-19 tests and treated by the existing therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies and antivirals
- Updated vaccines may offer better protection: The updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to increase protection against JN.1, as they do for other variants. The CDC recommends that everyone aged 5 years and older get vaccinated and receive a booster dose when eligible