JN.1
With cases of the Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 on the rise across several countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday designated it as a “variant of interest” separate from its ancestor BA.2.86 that is commonly referred to as Pirola.
The Union health ministry has written to states and Union Territories, asking them to monitor cases of influenza-like illnesses, conduct adequate testing, and send all positive samples for whole genome sequencing.
Karnataka has asked senior citizens to mask up. State health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao Monday said an order would be issued in this regard.
Another 15 cases of the JN.1 variant were detected in samples from Goa, according to officials familiar with the matter.
2. Key takeaways
- The JN.1 sub-variant, which stems from the BA.2.86 variant (known as Pirola), isn't entirely new. It was first identified in the US in September, with its global presence dating back to January this year.
- JN.1 differs from Pirola by having just one extra mutation on the spike protein. Pirola, in contrast, carries over 30 mutations on this protein.
- The significance lies in spike protein mutations as they facilitate the virus's entry into human cells by binding to receptors. Researchers have kept a close eye on JN.1 due to these spike protein alterations within Pirola
Could it trigger a surge in cases or more severe symptoms?
- So far, there's no indication that JN.1 leads to exacerbated symptoms or spreads faster than the already circulating variants.
- Initially, there were worries that Pirola's numerous mutations might enable it to evade the immune response more readily and propagate swiftly. However, that scenario hasn't materialized.
- Notably, a WHO assessment on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition found that both Pirola and JN.1 were effectively neutralized by serum from individuals who had been infected and vaccinated.
- Pirola and JN.1 are classified as Variants of Interest (VOI) but haven't been labeled as Variants of Concern (VOC).
Here's what distinguishes VOI and VOC:
- VOI refers to variants less neutralized by antibodies from infection or vaccination in lab settings and have potential to spread.
- A variant earns VOI status if it displays a growth advantage over other variants, showing increased proportions alongside rising case numbers.
- Additionally, it could be designated as VOI if it's predicted or confirmed to alter characteristics like transmissibility, virulence, antibody evasion, or susceptibility to therapies and diagnostics.
- Once recognized as VOI, the WHO monitors its global spread, assesses its public health risk, and encourages sharing isolates. Member states are required to report VOI cases, monitor, and conduct field investigations to understand the variant's potential impact.
- On the other hand, VOC are variants that drive heightened transmission, severe disease leading to hospitalization, and diminished vaccine effectiveness.
- Pirola and its close relative JN.1 are causing a noticeable uptick in global cases. Their presence has been identified in various locations such as the USA, several European nations, Singapore, and China.
- According to the WHO, Pirola and its offspring made up 17% of the Sars-CoV-2 sequences uploaded to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database.
- By early December, over half of these sequences were attributed to JN.1. In the United States, JN.1 comprised between 15% and 29% of the circulating Covid-19 variants.
- During the week of December 4 to 10, Singapore recorded an estimated 56,043 cases and observed a rise in hospitalizations, particularly among individuals aged 60 and above
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UPSC Practice Question
1.Concerning ‘Varient of Interest’ (VOI), seen in the news due to the new Covid-19 sub-variant, consider the following statements: 1. A variant is designated as VOI by WHO if it shows a growth advantage over other circulating variants — meaning its proportion increases along with any increase in the total number of cases. 2. A variant can be designated as VOI if it is predicted to or known to change characteristics such as transmissibility, virulence, antibody evasion, or susceptibility to therapies and diagnostics. 3. Once designated as VOI, the WHO monitors, tracks its global spread and the body also keeps assessing its public health risk and facilitates the sharing of isolates. Which of the above statement/s is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer (d) |
