The WHO Examines the Swift Worldwide Spread of the JN.1 Covid Variant

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified a sub-variant of the Omicron strain of the coronavirus as a "variant of interest" due to its rapid spread. This sub-variant, known as JN.1, has been detected in several countries including India, China, and the United States. However, the WHO reassures the public that the risk is currently low and existing vaccines still provide protection against this variant. Despite this, the WHO warns that the rise of Covid and other infections could occur during the winter season. Respiratory viruses such as the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and childhood pneumonia are also on the rise in the northern hemisphere. The virus responsible for Covid is constantly evolving, leading to the development of new variants like Omicron, which has been the dominant variant globally. The WHO is closely monitoring multiple variants of interest linked to Omicron, including JN.1. However, none of these variants are considered concerning at the moment. JN.1 is currently the fastest-growing variant in the United States, accounting for 15 to 29% of infections, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the UK, JN.1 constitutes around 7% of positive Covid tests analyzed in a lab, and its spread is being continuously monitored. JN.1 is spreading quickly in all regions, likely due to an additional mutation in the spike protein compared to its ancestor, the BA.2.86 variant. The WHO's risk assessment suggests that this variant may lead to an increase in Sars-Cov-2 cases and a surge in other viral and bacterial infections, particularly in countries entering the winter season. Currently, there is limited evidence on JN.1's ability to evade vaccine immunity, and there are no reports of it causing more severe illness than previous variants. However, further studies are needed since the number of countries reporting data on hospital admissions due to Covid has decreased significantly. To prevent infections and severe disease, the WHO advises following their recommendations.