Viral diseases pose a serious threat to humans as causal organism keeps on changing its structure making it difficult to deal with them. The recent mutation of coronavirus has given rise to a new variant known as JN.1, a subtype of BA.2.86.
WHO has issued a warning regarding this variant for two primary reasons. Firstly, JN.1 has undergone over 40 mutations, marking it as the first Covid variant to exhibit such rapid morphological changes. Secondly, existing vaccine-derived immunity seems ineffective against this variant. Initially identified in Luxembourg, cases have now emerged in England, France, Iceland, and America. Experts emphasize urgent need for caution due to its rapid spread.
While no instances of JN.1 have been reported in India, this variant is significantly more infectious. Belonging to BA.2.86 family, JN.1 variant exhibits 41 mutations in its spike protein, a level of change unprecedented among known variants. The symptoms associated with JN.1 remain akin to previous variants, including fever due to cold, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing.