Govt Issues Advisory As JN.1 COVID-19 Subvariant Detected In Kerala

NEW DELHI: The Indian government has issued a crucial public health advisory to states following the detection of the new JN.1 sub-variant, a descendant of Omicron’s BA.2.86 (Pirola), in a 79-year-old woman from Kerala.

Notably, another JN.1 case was identified in Singapore earlier, involving a traveler from Tamil Nadu.

Festive Vigilance: With the festive season approaching, the advisory emphasizes the urgent need for stringent public health measures to curb potential transmission.

This includes meticulous planning, strict adherence to respiratory hygiene practices, and close monitoring for influenza-like and severe respiratory illnesses across all health facilities.

Enhanced Surveillance and Testing: States are instructed to:

Actively track and report cases by district.
Regularly update data on the Integrated Health Information Platform.
Ensure comprehensive testing in all districts.

Understanding JN.1:

JN.1 shares ancestry with BA.2.86, first detected in the US in September 2023.
China reported seven infections on December 15.
CDC notes its 20 mutations on the spike protein, crucial for viral attachment, raising concerns.

Symptoms and Precautions:

JN.1 symptoms include mild fever, cough, nasal discomfort, sore throat, runny nose, facial pain, headache, and gastrointestinal issues.

Experts warn of its high transmissibility, making proactive preventive measures vital.

Remember: Vaccination, mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and physical distancing remain key defenses against Covid-19, including JN.1.

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