Covid JN.1 virus arrives in India: What are the symptoms, precautions and should you worry?
economictimes.indiatimes.comcoronavirus, named JN.1, has been detected in a woman from Kerala, raising concerns about the ongoing battle against Covid-19. The Indian government confirmed the presence of the JN.1 sub-variant on December 16, marking the first case of its kind in the country.
JN.1 is closely related to the BA.2.86 variant, also known as Pirola, which has been recently found in the US and China. The positive case was identified through routine surveillance in Thiruvananthapuram on December 8.
What's new Covid virus JN.1?
JN.1 is a novel variant of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.86, characterized by an additional mutation on its spike protein.
This variant has the potential to spread rapidly and evade immunity, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and caution in India.
What are the symptoms of the new Covid virus JN.1?
The symptoms of Covid-19 caused by JN.1 are similar to those of other variants. Fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, and mild gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported.
However, it is unclear if JN.1 exhibits distinct symptoms compared to previous variants.
JN.1: Precautions Preventive measures include — frequent hand sanitization, use of triple mask and social distancing.
People can also consider getting booster shots for better prevention from virus.
Should you worry about new Covid virus JN.1?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning regarding JN.1, stating that it may have an increased ability to evade the immune system, leading to concerns about its transmissibility.
In response to the surge in cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged member states to maintain strong surveillance and share sequence data. Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead on
