Health Ministry initiates preparedness measures after Covid subvariant JN.1 reported in Kerala
PTC News Desk: The Union Ministry of Health has started precautionary measures after a case of the JN.1 subvariant of COVID was identified in Kerala as part of the ongoing routine surveillance conducted by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).
During a press conference in New Delhi, Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), confirmed this development.
A mock drill is being conducted in health facilities across the country to assess public health and hospital readiness. This exercise, which is being overseen by district collectors, began on December 13 and is expected to be completed by December 18, 2023.
The Union Ministry of Health connects regularly with the Kerala State Department of Health and closely monitors various points of entry.
While the majority of cases reported in Kerala are clinically mild, health officials stress the importance of ongoing vigilance and preparedness in order to effectively manage the evolving situation related to COVID-19 variants.
The India SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), a network of Genomic Laboratories, has been actively monitoring COVID-19's genomic aspects in India.
The detection of the JN.1 subvariant is consistent with revised surveillance guidelines that include testing for COVID-19 in patients with Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). Cases that test positive are then referred for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS).
On December 8, 2023, a specific case of JN.1 was identified in an RT-PCR positive sample from Karakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The patient, who tested positive for COVID-19 on November 18, 2023, experienced mild symptoms of ILI and has since recovered.
- ANI
