WHO Classifies JN.1 Coronavirus Strain As 'Variant Of Interest'

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday classified the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a "variant of interest", but said it did not pose much threat to public health.

"Based on the available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low," WHO said.

JN.1 was previously classified as a variant of interest as a part of its parent lineage BA.2.86.

The United Nations agency said current vaccines continue to protect against severe disease and death from JN.1 and other circulating variants of the Covid-19 virus.

According to G C Khilnani, Chairman of PSRI Institute of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, the new variant (JN1) was first identified as Luxembourg and is a descendant of the Pirola variant (BA.2.86), which itself stems from the Omicron sub-variant. It carries mutations which enhance its capability of Immune escaping capabilities which is also reported by the CDC, Atlanta, USA. In the USA, at present 15-29 per cent of cases of Covid are caused by this variant. 

"Fortunately, the disease is mild causing fever, sore throat, cough, body aches etc. The first cases in India were reported from Kerala in elderly women with mild symptoms. Historically, the first case of Covid was also detected in Kerala at the beginning of the Pandemic," Khilnani said.

"This elegant research study published on 15 December in the journal Lancet has illustrated the biotechnological basis by which the JN.1 virus evades (escapes) pre-existing immunity. However, in my thinking, there is no need for any kind of panic. Corona, an RNA virus, is notorious for mutations and with enhanced facilities of detection and characterisation, more and more variants are periodically detected. This particular variant (JN1) is fortunately causing mild illness," he said.

However, as a matter of extreme caution, it is advised that 'Covid appropriate behaviour' should be practised, especially by the susceptible population of which hand hygiene (and mask by susceptible population) is most important. Creating panic, at present may confuse, as there is a high incidence of cough, sore throat and other viral-like illnesses in Delhi NCR attributable to air pollution, Khilnani added. 

he also said that susceptible populations with influenza-like illnesses ( fever, body ache sore throat, running nose, cough) may be tested for Covid with RTPCR or home testing by a Kit. For susceptible populations, it is best to avoid going too crowded. With high levels of air pollution, it is best to use an N95 mask which will protect against both Covid and the adverse effects of pollution.