INDIA, Dec 19: A novel coronavirus variant named JN.1 has emerged, causing heightened concerns among health authorities, experts, and the public. This new subvariant of COVID-19, JN.1, is a descendant of BA.2.86, and its detection has contributed to a surge in India's active caseload, reaching 1,828 on Monday. Notably, Kerala reported one death associated with the JN.1 subvariant, prompting the central government to issue an advisory to state governments, urging them to bolster health arrangements.

The JN.1 Covid subvariant was initially identified in Luxembourg and is linked to the Pirola variant (BA.2.86), itself stemming from the Omicron subvariant. This new variant exhibits a notable number of unique mutations, particularly in the spike protein, raising concerns about increased infectivity and immune evasion.

Common symptoms associated with the JN.1 variant include fever, runny nose, sore throat, and headache. Fortunately, most patients experience mild upper respiratory symptoms that typically improve within four to five days.

In India, the JN.1 subvariant has been detected in Kerala. A 79-year-old woman tested positive in an RT-PCR test on November 18, exhibiting mild symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI) and subsequently recovering from Covid-19. Presently, over 90% of Covid cases in India are mild and managed through home isolation.

An Indian traveler was identified with the JN.1 subvariant in Singapore. This individual, hailing from Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirapalli district, had traveled to Singapore on October 25.

Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the National Indian Medical Association Covid Task Force, characterizes JN.1 as a severely immune-evasive and fast-spreading variant. Its ability to infect individuals with prior COVID-19 infections and those vaccinated raises concerns about its potential impact.

The India SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), responsible for sequencing and monitoring new COVID-19 variants, has conducted surveillance where JN.1 was found in Kerala.

The Karnataka government has ruled out the need to restrict movement on the border for now, assuring that all precautionary measures have been implemented. Currently, Karnataka reports 58 active cases, with 11 hospitalized and one Covid-related death with additional comorbidities.

N.1 was first detected in the United States in September 2023, underscoring the global nature of the variant and the need for heightened vigilance worldwide.