JN.1 COVID sub-variant cases on rise: All you need to know as WHO issues alert

  • December 19, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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JN.1 COVID sub-variant cases on rise: All you need to know as WHO issues alert

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

  • A new JN.1 COVID sub-variant is on the rise.

Details:

  • Respiratory diseases are increasing around the world due to a number of pathogens including COVID19, flu, rhinovirus, mycoplasma pneumonia & others.
  • SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve. JN.1 (subvariant of BA.2.86) is already a Varient of Interest (VOI) and continues to increase in circulation.

JN.1 variant of COVID:

  • It is considered the Omicron subvariant BA.2.86 or Pirola. This variant was first detected in September 2023 in the United States.
  • It is capable of spreading faster and evading immunity.
  • It is a severely immune-evasive and fast-spreading variant, markedly different from XBB and all other prior versions of this virus.
  • This enables it to infect people who had previous Covid infections and also people who were vaccinated.

Classification of Variants by CDC:

  1. Variant of Interest (VOI):
    • Characteristics: Variants with specific genetic markers linked to changes in receptor binding, reduced neutralization by antibodies, potential diagnostic impact, or increased transmissibility/severity.
    • Example:B.1.617 variant with mutations E484Q and L452R, identified in India, classified as VOI by WHO.
  1. Variant of Concern (VOC):
    • Traits: Variants showing evidence of increased transmissibility, severe disease, reduced neutralization by antibodies, vaccine/treatment effectiveness, or diagnostic failures.
    • Examples:1.1.7 (UK), B.1.351 (South Africa), P.1 (Brazil), B.1.427, and B.1.429 variants in the US.
  1. Variant of High Consequence:
    • Definition: Variants drastically reducing the effectiveness of preventive measures or medical countermeasures.
    • Status: No variants of high consequence reported circulating in the US by CDC.
  1. Variants Under Investigation (VUI):
    • Criteria: Variants with potential epidemiological, immunological, or pathogenic properties warrant formal investigation.
    • Status: Variants emerging from the 1.617 lineage currently designated as VUI by Public Health England (PHE).
JN.1 COVID sub-variant cases on rise: All you need to know as WHO issues alert Science and tech