Decoding JN.1 Variant: Assessing the Real Threat

New Delhi: A 78-year-old woman in Kerala, India, was the first person confirmed to have the JN.1 variant of Sars-CoV-2. This variant has caused a surge in infections worldwide, leading the World Health Organization to advise heightened surveillance and sequence sharing among nations. Although the patient in Kerala experienced mild symptoms and has recovered, the Union health ministry urged states to increase Covid surveillance as a precaution. Many countries are intensifying their fight against Covid-19 due to this variant, prompting measures such as reinforcing public masking mandates in places like Singapore. However, there is no cause for panic at this time.

What is the JN.1 variant?

The JN.1 variant is a sub-lineage of the BA.2.86 (Pirola) variant, which is derived from the Omicron variant. Experts have expressed concerns that the JN.1 variant may be more immune evasive. It was first reported in Denmark and Israel, and over 6,600 samples of BA.2.86 and its sub-lineages, including JN.1, have been sequenced in various countries. The JN.1 variant has an additional spike protein substitution (L455S), and its ongoing growth suggests increased transmissibility or better ability to evade the immune system. It has been classified as a Variant of Interest by the World Health Organization. However, the emergence of new variants does not necessarily indicate increased danger compared to other circulating variants.

Where is it circulating, and how is it effecting the outbreak?

Out of 15,416 Covid-19 cases sampled in 56 countries, 43% (6,682) were positive for the BA.2.86 variant or its sub-variants, including JN.1. At least 35 nations have reported the presence of this variant. In Spain and Singapore, nearly two-thirds of sequenced samples have shown the variant. The US expects JN.1 to increase in proportion. Singapore has seen a significant rise in cases and reinstated mandatory mask usage. India has also experienced a recent surge in infections, while deaths have remained stable.

Symptoms and severity

Despite the rise in cases, Singapore has not reported any Covid-19 deaths since early November, according to global data. In the US, the seven-day average of daily deaths has decreased. Similar trends are observed in other countries with the JN.1 variant. India, with its large population, has recorded an average of 0.9 deaths per day, highlighting the relatively low number. The World Health Organization states that there is no evidence of increased risk or severity from the JN.1 variant. However, a study suggests higher infectivity compared to BA.2.86. It is unknown if JN.1 causes different symptoms; generally, symptom severity depends on individual health and immunity, rather than the specific variant.