The emergence of a new COVID subvariant has alarmed health officials worldwide. The JN.1 subvariant, which originated from the Omicron variant that swept the globe in early 2022, is rapidly spreading, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The strain is causing approximately 20 percent of new coronavirus infections in the United States, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
JN.1 is a descendant of the BA.2.86 variant that made headlines during the summer of 2021. At the time, scientists were concerned that the BA.2.86 variant could mutate beyond the capability of vaccines and antibody treatments. However, the JN.1 subvariant has only one change to its spike protein compared to BA.2.86.
Although JN.1 only has a slight modification, it seems to be a faster-moving virus. CNN reports that this may explain why it’s outpacing other variants, leading to increased infections. The JN.1 subvariant has raised alarms among health officials globally, as it has been found in several countries across several continents.
The WHO has expressed concern over the increasing spread of JN.1 worldwide. According to medical experts, increased transmission rates present the risk of further mutations, resulting in new and potentially more dangerous variants. It remains to be seen whether JN.1 will evade current vaccine protection, but scientists are urging people to get vaccinated to reduce their risk of infection.
Although JN.1 is on the rise, health officials are doing everything they can to track and contain the subvariant’s spread. Despite the development of effective vaccines, the spread of subvariants highlights the need for continued vigilance in the fight against COVID-19.
The emergence of the JN.1 subvariant as the holiday season approaches could pose a significant challenge for people traveling and gathering with family and friends. As a result, health officials are urging people to remain cautious, maintain social distancing, wear masks, and get vaccinated to reduce the risk of infection and the spread of the subvariant.