The storm is upon us! In a single month the omicron lineage’s JN.1 variant has swept around much of the world, from virtually non-existent to its current 27 % prevalence (an eightfold increase). This started in late August and is expected to be the new worldwide strain. Unlike the more easily recognizable BA.2, which it evolved from, JN.1 includes a novel mutation (L455S) in its spike protein that has taken evading detection by the immune system to new heights. Add this to its high infectiousness, and the situation looks worrying, all of which is made worse by winter conditions.
Interestingly, although the JN.1 variant is a formidable immune evader, it has not sparked any major outbreaks yet. Designated by the World Health Organization as a separate lineage of interest, JN.1 has since overtaken its predecessor in BA.2.86 to become dominant itself recently along with tiger-line flu (BA 5). Hopefully, early indications that JN.1 doesn’t cause a worse illness than other strains are confirmed.
India itself is also facing the JN.1 strain, with Kerala being first to discover a case by routine surveillance. Of 21 cases nationwide, Goa alone has already seen 19. Miraculously, the cases have all been mild ones under home quarantine. She is extremely cautious as the country experiences a leap in COVID-19 cases.
India is taking strategic steps in the fight against JN.1, however. On the other hand, there is encouragement of people at greater risk to wear face masks (especially in poorly ventilated areas). In addition, it must be tested for in all patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection cases. Surveillance guidelines have been modified so that positive cases should be subject to sequencing.
A request is being made of India that while it learns to deal with this new challenge of Covid, its efforts should be directed at sequencing the genomes for emerging variants. Therefore, the main point of reporting on shaming states is to learn from past examples and not be blinded by an illusion.
