Centre issues Covid advisory amid rising infections, first case of new variant reported
New Delhi, December 19: Amid the emergence of the JN.1 coronavirus sub-variant, first identified in a 79-year-old woman from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, the Centre issued a comprehensive advisory to all states.
This alert follows the detection of the JN.1 sub-variant in a traveller from Tamil Nadu's Tiruchirapalli district, identified in Singapore earlier. The advisory emphasised the need for heightened public health measures, particularly with the approaching festive season, stressing the importance of respiratory hygiene to curb disease transmission.
States were directed to actively monitor and report cases of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness district-wise. The Integrated Health Information Platform requires regular updates, coupled with robust testing protocols across all districts.
Considered a descendant of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.86 or Pirola, the JN.1 variant first surfaced in the United States in September 2023. China reported seven cases of this sub-variant on December 15, per Reuters. Characterised by 20 spike protein mutations, as per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the JN.1 variant raises concerns due to its potential impact on viral cell attachment, a crucial stage in infections.
Symptoms associated with the JN.1 sub-variant include mild fever, cough, nasal discomfort, sore throat, runny nose, facial pressure, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. Experts underscore the need for proactive measures against the transmissible JN.1 variant, highlighting the importance of preventive strategies to mitigate its spread.
- With inputs from agencies
