WHO tags JN.1 strain as 'variant of interest' as Covid cases rise

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CategoryHealth

Last Updated21/12/2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently designated the Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 as a "variant of interest" due to its rapid spread.
Current vaccines are reported to continue protecting against severe disease and death caused by JN.1.

JN.1 cases were reported globally, including the US, European countries, Singapore, and China.
Recently, a case of the JN.1 subvariant was identified in Kerala during the continuous routine surveillance conducted by INSACOG.
The JN.1 virus is a novel variant of Omicron subvariant BA.2.86 ( called Pirola) with an additional spike protein mutation.
It has the capability to spread rapidly and evade immunity, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and caution.
Symptoms: fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache and mild gastrointestinal symptoms.

Variant of Interest
- Variant with a genetic capability that affects characteristics of the virus such as disease severity, immune escape, transmissibility and diagnostic escape.
- A VOI causes a consequential volume of community transmission.
Variant of Concern
- A variant of concern translates to a rise in transmissibility, an increase in fatality and a significant decrease in effectiveness of vaccines, therapy and other health measures.
Variant of High Consequence
- Variants with clear evidence that prevention measures or medical countermeasures have significantly reduced effectiveness.
Variants Under Investigation (VUI)
- Variants considered to have epidemiological, immunological, or pathogenic properties that warrant formal investigation.