 has identified a sub-variant of the Omicron strain, named JN.1, as a "variant of interest" owing to its swift and widespread transmission.){kind=link}
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified a sub-variant of the Omicron strain, named JN.1, as a “variant of interest” owing to its swift and widespread transmission. JN.1 has surfaced in numerous countries globally, including India, China, the UK, and the United States.
Despite its escalating spread, the WHO reassures the public that the risk remains low, and existing vaccines continue to provide protection against JN.1. However, the organization cautions that the winter season may see an increase in Covid and other respiratory infections.
The northern hemisphere is witnessing a rise in respiratory viruses such as flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and childhood pneumonia. The WHO emphasizes the dynamic nature of the virus causing Covid, leading to the periodic emergence of new variants. Omicron has held its status as the predominant variant on a global scale.
While the WHO is monitoring various Omicron-related variants of interest, including JN.1, none are currently considered alarming. However, the rapid spread of JN.1 has caught attention. In the United States, it has become the fastest-growing variant, constituting 15-29% of infections, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the UK, the Health Security Agency reports that JN.1 makes up approximately 7% of positive Covid tests analyzed in laboratories. Authorities in both countries vow to closely monitor all available data regarding JN.1 and other variants to adapt their response accordingly.