A new sub-variant of the Omicron strain of coronavirus named “JN.1” has alerted experts across the global health industry, as it has been classified as a “variant of interest” by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to its rapidly increasing spread.
COVID-19 cases involving the JN.1 variant have been found in many countries across the world, including India, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Although WHO has stated that the risk to the public is currently low, it warns that the coronavirus and other infections could rise this winter.
Furthermore, respiratory viruses such as flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and childhood pneumonia are also on the rise in the Northern Hemisphere.
The virus behind COVID-19 is constantly evolving, which has led to the development of new variants, with Omicron being the globally dominant one.
Meanwhile, WHO is closely monitoring several variants linked to Omicron, including JN.1, but none are considered concerning at the moment.
However, JN.1 is the fastest-growing variant of COVID-19, accounting for 15-29% of infections in the US, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
It is also the fastest-growing in the UK, accounting for around 7% of positive coronavirus tests, according to the UK Health Security Agency.
