21 cases of JN.1 variant detected in India; doctors on alert, advise precaution

Indian authorities are on alert amid the emergence of a new coronavirus subvariant JN.1, with the scientific community closely investigating the strain. A total of 21 Covid-19 cases of JN.1 sub-variant have been detected so far across the country, according to NITI Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul, and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is working on genome sequencing.

Of the 21 cases, 19 have been detected in Goa and one each in Kerala and Maharashtra.

JN.1 (BA.2.86.1.1) variant emerged in late 2023 and is a descendant of the BA.2.86 lineage (Pirola) of SARS-CoV-2. BA.2.86 lineage, first identified in August 2023, is phylogenetically distinct from the circulating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB lineages, including EG.5.1 and HK.3. BA.2.86 carries more than 30 mutations in the spike (5) protein, indicating a high potential for immune evasion, the ministry said.

The World Health Organization has classified JN.1 as a variant of interest.

Doctors at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital have advised to remain alert regarding this new variant but stressed there is no need to panic.