Written by Dr. Sanjana V.B Bhms,dbrm,cdn

Founder & medical director of siahmsr wellness.in

All rights reserved with siahmsr digital healthcare[siahmsr wellness]

Reviewed by SIAHMSR medical team.

COVID infection by JN -1 variant

  It is very common for viruses to change by mutation in their protein structure and evolve into new types as they spread between people over time. When these changes in viruses become significantly different from a previously detected virus, these newly emerging virus types are known as “variants.”  The genetic material of viruses are studied for recognizing the change [sequencing] and emergence of new variants.

 COVID-19 is the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. It usually spreads between people in close contact. There are different variants of SARS-Co virus-2 or Covid causing viruses.

Since 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has been spreading and changing globally. These changes have led to the detection of variants in many countries around the world.

The variants of covid virus are grouped in three different ways generally – variants under monitoring, variants of interest and variants of concern

[Read more].

   Now a new Covid variant JN-1 has emerged and it spreads rapidly. The JN.1 strain surfaced in the U.S. in September. It is related to BA.2.86    (Pirola), a lineage of the Omicron variant. The World Health Organization (WHO) also declared JN.1 as “variant of interest.”

A Variant of Interest (VOI) is a term used to describe a SARS-CoV-2 variant with changes that are known to affect. VOI means the virus is constantly studied by  medical researchers about its behavior or its potential impact on human health. The study of virus variant includes its ability to spread, to cause serious disease, and methods for early detection and treatment.

 A virus belonging to the category “Variant of interest” may have an increased ability to spread when compared with other circulating variants. It is considered to have a potential risk to global public health in the future.

  JN.1 finds its roots in the Omicron subvariant BA.2.86, also known as Pirola.  According to Centre for disease control and prevention [CDC] , the variant JN.1 comprises an estimated 15–29% of in the United States as of December 8, 2023.  It is currently the fastest-growing variant in the United States.

 JN.1 is closely related to the variant BA.2.86 and there is only a single change between JN.1 and BA.2.86 in the spike protein.

JN.1 was first detected in the United States in September 2023. By the end of October, it made up less than 0.1% of SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Now it has since spread to several countries, including the United States, China, and India.

The variant was discovered in India by the routine surveillance of COVID-19 test samples by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium.

The variant is being studied, however it is suggested that JN-1 is not a significant cause of concern as it only causes mild symptoms.

Currently, no studies point out that JN.1 causes more severe cases of COVID.

According to CDC there is no enhanced risk to public health by this variant. However, immunocompromised or old people with serious diseases are warned to be cautious and take adequate protective measures from JN-1 Covid variant.

There is no intensification or severity of symptoms caused by this variant when compared to other circulating variants in the population. Symptoms and severity of the infection is dependent on the immune status of the affected people.

Symptoms:

 Currently  JN.1 infection do not produce  symptoms different  from other variants. The  symptoms of COVID-19 tend to be similar across variants now. It  includes:

·       Sore throat

·       Runny nose

·       Watering eyes

·        Fever

·       Diahorrea

·       Nausea

·       Weakness

Investigations or tests

 Rapid tool kit for covid 19

RTPCR- for covid 19

Impact of JN-1 variant on public health

  The studies suggest that the new variant JN1 is either more transmissible or better at evading our immune systems. However, at this point there is no evidence that JN.1 presents an increased risk to public health relative to other currently circulating variants.        

 There is no indication of increased severity of disease symptoms on people by the new variants. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to increase protection against JN.1, as they do for other variants.

  COVID-19 activity is likely to increase over the next month. An updated COVID-19 vaccine can help keep you protected against JN.1 and other variants

  COVID-19 vaccines provide strong protection against severe illness and death. It is stated that although vaccines may not prevent occurrence of Covid infection, it can reduce the severity of infection.

 Risk groups for Covid infection

Old people in whom immunity may be low due to ageing

People having serious diseases such as diabetes, hypertension ,stroke etc.

Immunocompromised individual due to various organ diseases

Pregnant  women.

Prevention

·       Wash your hands well frequently .

·       Wearing a medical-grade face mask or respirator (N95 or KN95) in crowded places. Wear a mask when in crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated areas, and keep a safe distance from others to avoid droplet transmission.

·       Practice respiratory etiquette - covering mouth and nose during coughs and sneezes.

·       Cleanse your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based  hand sanitizer

·       Stay at home if you are infected with the virus. It may help to reduce the spread.

·       Do Covid testing if you have symptoms or you’ve been exposed to SARS-CoV-2.  If you have symptoms of Covid consult  a physician or healthcare provider.

·       Ensure that you get adequate vitamin D .Expose yourself to sun between 10am and 4pm every day for 15 minute. This may help to get you enough vitamin D or take supplements of vitamin D as directed by a physician.

·       Eat healthy well balanced nourishing diet

·       Ensure that you drink adequate amount of water

Research is ongoing across the globe to better understand how new variants affect the effectiveness of the different COVID-19 vaccines.

References

1.    https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-%28covid-19%29-variants-of-sars-cov-2?gclid=CjwKCAiAyp-sBhBSEiwAWWzTnllCxF0tOSwQSFfzHnzjRNT_KeP5AMnjAYbaT6YdPa-A1sJVYvfoeRoCpnYQAvD_BwE

2.    https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/jn1-coronavirus-variant-covid

3.    https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/SARS-CoV-2-variant-JN.1.html