A new strain of the coronavirus is being linked to a rise in cases in a multiple countries. JN.1 was first detected in Israel and Denmark in July this year. The World Health Organisation has received over 7000 genome sequences of JN.1 from 41 countries.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, JN.1 accounted for 15-29% cases of Covid-19 in the US as of December 8. The World Health Organisation has classified it has a ‘Variant of Interest’ due to its rapidly increasing spread but has said that it poses a low risk. It also said that current vaccines are effective against the new strain but added that the JN.1 has increased immunity-evading capability. In India, JN.1 has been detected in three states. According to the Health Ministry data, 19 cases were detected in Goa and one each in Kerala and Maharashtra till December 21.
The Indian government has issued advisories to the state governments and stressed on the need to be alert. It has however said that there is no need to panic and that the new strain is not an immediate cause for concern.
The Health Ministry asked people to maintain respiratory hygiene, wear masks in enclosed and crowded spaces and wash their hands frequently.
Vikram Chandra speaks to Dr Randeep Guleria, former director of AIIMS Delhi about prevention, symptoms and vaccines.