The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified JN.1, an omicron variant of the coronavirus, as a “variant of concern.”
The spread of
JN.1 has been confirmed in several countries around the world, including India,
China, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
The World Health
Organization (WHO) notes that the risk to people is currently low and can be
prevented with current vaccines.
However, she
warns that the new coronavirus and other infections may increase this winter.
Respiratory
viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumonia are
increasing in children in the Northern Hemisphere.
The viruses that
cause the new coronavirus constantly mutate over time, sometimes producing new
strains.
The ami-corone
strain has been the dominant strain worldwide for some time.
The World Health
Organization is currently tracking a number of variants associated with the
amikoron virus, including the JN1 strain, none of which are considered to be of
concern.
JN1 is rapidly spreading around the world
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States of America, this type is currently the most widespread in the United States, accounting for 15-29% of infections.
According to the UK's NHS, JN1 currently represents around 7% of positive Covid tests analyzed in laboratories.
The agency says it will continue to monitor all available data on this and
other strains of the
virus.
Increased spread in winter
The JN1 virus is
spreading rapidly in all regions, possibly due to more mutations in the spike
protein than in the BA.2.86 strain from which the virus originated.
The risk
assessment conducted by the World Health Organization states: “This variant is
expected to cause an increase in infections with the emerging coronavirus
(SARS-CoV-2), especially in countries entering the winter season, amid a rise
in other viral and bacterial infections.”
The World Health
Organization (WHO) has stated that there is limited evidence on the extent to
which the JN1 virus can overcome vaccine immunity.
There are also
no reports of more people becoming infected with JN1 than previous types.
However, the World Health Organization said more research is needed to understand the health impact, as the number of countries reporting data on people hospitalized with COVID-19 has fallen significantly.
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