The world is in panic due to the new variant of Corona JN.1, first case registered in India, should we be worried? Know everything about the virus here

A new COVID-19 sub-variant, JN.1, has been detected in Kerala. After it was detected in a 78-year-old woman from Kerala Kerala’s Union Health Minister alerted health facilities and hospitals for preparations. The JN.1 variant of Covid is believed to be a descendant of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.86 or Pirola. While it was first detected in the United States in September 2023, China detected seven infections of the particular sub-variant on December 15, Reuters reports. Recently, pirola has been spreading in 38 countries, including India, and is believed to be the cause of the recent increase in hospitalizations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), BA.2.86 has a total of 20 mutations on the spike protein, which is a concern because viruses use the spike protein to take over the host’s cells. According to a report in October, the health agency reported that there is only a single mutation in the spike protein between JN.1 and BA.2.86.

New variant of corona virus JN.1 spreads rapidly

According to Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the National Indian Medical Association Covid Task Force, the JN.1 variant can spread rapidly and evade immunity. He said, JN.1 is a severely immune-resistant and rapidly spreading variant, which is markedly different from XBB and all other prior versions of this virus. “This makes it capable of infecting people who have had Covid infection before and also infecting people who have been vaccinated,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Symptoms of Covid variant JN.1

According to the agency report, Dr Ujjwal Prakash, senior consultant, chest medicine at Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi, said that JN.1, similar to other variants and sub-variants seen globally, is a mild variant that affects the upper respiratory tract. Causes related symptoms.

Symptoms of the JN.1 variant include mild fever, cough, discomfort in the nasal passages, sore throat, runny nose, pain or pressure within the face, headache and gastrointestinal problems.

Experts have observed that due to its infectiousness, JN.1 has become a major strain of Covid and appropriate measures should be taken to prevent it.

Preventive Measures

To prevent the JN.1 strain from spreading on a large scale, experts have urged people to take booster shots, maintain social distancing, wash hands frequently and wear masks in public places.

Covid variant JN.1 in Kerala

During a routine surveillance activity of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), the JN.1 strain was detected in a 78-year-old woman. ICMR Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl said the case was detected after an RT-PCR positive sample was confirmed from Karakulam in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district on December 8. The woman had mild symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI) and has since recovered from COVID-19. While strains have been reported in various countries, Kerala Health Minister Veena George assured that JN.1 is “not a cause for concern.”

What do we know about the Indian case?

In India, a 79-year-old woman became the first to report a JN.1 case. It was detected in an RT-PCR-positive sample from Karakulam in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district on December 8. According to doctors, the elderly woman had mild symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI) and has since recovered from COVID.

Commenting on the matter, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that detection of infection is not a matter of panic. Speaking to the media about the new variant, George said it was found months ago in Indian travelers who were screened at the Singapore airport.

“There is no need for any concern,” he said. This is a sub-version. It was just found here. Months ago, this variant was found in some Indians screened at the Singapore airport. It’s just that Kerala has identified the variant here through genome sequencing. there is nothing to worry about. The situation is being closely monitored. However, he asked people to remain cautious and said that those who have other serious diseases should be careful.

Should we be worried?

Experts across the country have said that there is no need to panic and measures like wearing masks and washing hands should be adopted. Dr Anita Mathew, Director-Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, told The Economic Times, “There is no need to panic because in general, the number of all respiratory diseases increases during winter and till now this disease has People have not had any difficulty in breathing. Therefore, although we need to be alert and careful to prevent the disease, there is no need to panic.

Dr. Ishwar Gilada, General Secretary of People’s Health Organization-India and Organized Medicine Academic Guild-OMAG, also said that so far the new subvariant JN.1 has not shown serious symptoms. “There are no serious infections, no ICU admissions, no need for oxygen and ventilators,” he said.

Dr. Ujjwal Prakash, senior consultant in chest medicine at Delhi’s Ganga Ram Hospital, told news agency ANI that although vigilance is important, there is no need for people to panic. “You need to be more cautious. I don’t think there is any reason to panic or do anything extra other than being cautious.”

Expressing similar sentiments, health expert Dr Niroz Misha said the COVID variant JN.1 is a mild disease with minimal symptoms and only 0.5 per cent require some assistance.

“This variant first declined in the USA and now there are actually cases in Singapore,” health expert Dr Niroj Mishra told The Economic Times on December 17. 56,000 cases have been reported in Singapore in the last week. It is spreading rapidly and is a mild disease. Of the 56,000, only 350 required hospitalization and nine in ICU. Some cases have been reported in India since November but there has been no major impact on us yet. 312 cases have been detected today but even if it spreads to a large number of people, 99.5 percent will be detected and will have minimal symptoms, with only 0.5 percent requiring some assistance.

Disclaimer: The suggestions in this article are for general information. Do not take these tips and information as advice from a doctor or medical professional. In case of symptoms of any disease, definitely consult a doctor.