The newly identified COVID-19 Variant JN.1, a subvariant of Omicron, constitutes 44.2% of current cases in the United States, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Characterized by increased contagiousness, JN.1 is associated with fewer severe symptoms, as noted by doctors. Despite being labeled a “variant of interest” by the World Health Organization (WHO), it does not exhibit heightened aggressiveness.
Common symptoms of JN.1 mirror those of previous COVID-19 cases, including fever, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Notably, a distinctive feature is the more frequent recurrence of loss of taste and smell, accompanied by potential skin and eye symptoms.
One major concern is JN.1’s ability to evade immunity, posing a risk to both vaccinated individuals and those with prior COVID-19 infections.
Doctor Tayeb Hamdi stressed the importance of heightened vigilance, particularly among vulnerable populations, such as individuals over 65, those with chronic illnesses, and pregnant women.
The rapid increase of JN.1, rising from 20% to 44.2% of cases in a short span, has raised alarms. In the Northeast, JN.1 now constitutes nearly 57% of new COVID-19 cases. Monitoring and preventive measures must be prioritized to address the evolving threat posed by this variant.
Source: MWN
