COVID-19 resurgence: Everything you should know about the new JN.1 variant

Time of India

20-05-2025

A new wave of COVID-19 cases, driven by the JN.1 Omicron sub-variant, is emerging in parts of Asia, raising global concerns. While India reports active cases, primarily in Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, understanding JN.1's symptoms and preventive measures is crucial. The WHO considers it a 'variant of interest,' with current vaccines still effective against severe illness.
A new wave of
COVID-19 cases
emerging across parts of Asia, particularly in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand, has raised global alarms. The new wave in Asia is driven by the new coronavirus Omicron sub-variants, such as JN.1 and its related descendants.
Amidst this, India has reported 257 active cases as of May 19, 2025, with Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu accounting for the majority. While no official confirmation on the spread of JN.1 is reported yet, it is important to have an understanding of the variant to stay safe.
Here's everything you need to know about the
JN.1 variant
, its symptoms, and prevention.
What is the JN.1 strain?
JN.1 is a subvariant of the Omicron BA.2.86 (informally referred to as 'Pirola') lineage, which was first detected in August 2023. This variant contains around 30 mutations to evade the immunity, more than any other variant circulating at that time. The World Health Organization (
WHO
) has declared it a 'variant of interest,' and not yet a 'variant of concern'.
The BA.2.86 variant of the coronavirus never became dominant among the circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains in 2023.
This variant carries an additional mutation in the spike protein's receptor-binding domain, which enhances its ability to bind to human cells and evade immune responses. According to Yale Medicine, a difference between BA.2.86 and JN.1 is that the latter has one mutation in its spike protein, a single change that may or may not alter any of the traits that characterise the virus, although preliminary research shows that it may provide extra immune evasion.
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The symptoms of JN.1 are similar to those of other
Omicron subvariants
. The symptoms include:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Is JN.1 dangerous?
JN.1 does not appear to cause severe disease than the previous Omicron strains. The infections reported so far have mild to moderate symptoms. "Based on the available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low," the WHO
said
in a statement in 2023, when the strain first emerged.
"Current vaccines continue to protect against severe disease and death from JN.1 and other circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19," the health agency said back then.
Precautions
Vaccination:
Stay up to date with vaccinations, including booster doses for added protection.
Practice good hygiene:
frequent handwashing and sanitizing.
Masks:
Wear masks in crowded indoor and high-risk settings.
Monitor symptoms:
Be aware of JN.1 symptoms, and seek testing if unwell.
Travel precautions:
When you are travelling, ensure to check local guidlness, and refrain from the journey if you are symptomatic.
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