The new JN.1 variant of Covid-19, originating from the Omicron variant, has quickly become the most prevalent strain in the United States and around the world, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports ( CDC)
“JN.1 remains the most widely circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant in the United States and globally,” the CDC states in its latest report.
This rise in cases marks a significant change in the Covid-19 landscape and highlights the ever-evolving nature of the virus.
Characteristics and propagation of JN.1
JN.1, a descendant of the Omicron BA.2.86 variant, also known as the “Pirola” variant, was first detected in the United States in September.
At the end of October, it accounted for less than 0.1 percent of SARS-CoV-2 viruses, but has risen rapidly to make up almost 86 percent of all Covid-19 cases in the country as of January 20.
Eyal Oren, director and professor of epidemiology at San Diego State University, highlighted the rapid evolution of the virus, noting that the majority of current Covid-19 cases are likely due to this new variant.
“Chances are, if you’re getting Covid right now, you’re getting this particular variant mutation,” Eyal Oren told NPR.
JN.1 Symptoms and Concerns
The CDC notes that the symptoms of JN.1 are similar to those of previous Covid-19 variants, including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, among others. However, there have been reports of slightly different symptoms this season, such as difficulty sleeping and anxiety.
While the predominance of JN.1 suggests greater transmissibility or immune evasion, the CDC has found no evidence that it causes more severe disease. Despite this, there has been a notable increase in infections, hospitalizations and deaths from Covid-19, particularly in the eastern part of the United States.
In light of the prevalence of JN.1, CDC recommends the public maintain standard Covid-19 precautions, such as wearing masks, washing hands, and avoiding crowds.
They also emphasize the importance of staying up to date with this season’s COVID-19 and flu vaccines, which are expected to offer good protection against JN.1 and other variants. Current Covid-19 vaccines are believed to increase protection against severe disease caused by JN.1.
The mutations of Covid-19
Since the discovery of Covid-19 at the end of 2019, the virus has mutated multiple times, giving rise to various variants. These variants are the result of changes in the virus’s genetic code, which is a natural and expected process in the evolution of any virus.
Some of the more notable variants include Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron. Each of these variants has shown slightly different characteristics in terms of transmissibility, disease severity, and resistance to antibodies generated by both previous infections and vaccines.
For example, the Delta variant, first identified in India, was notably more contagious than previous strains, leading to a significant increase in Covid-19 cases globally.
On the other hand, the Omicron variant, initially identified in South Africa, showed an even greater ability to evade existing immunity and spread rapidly, although it generally caused less severe illness compared to previous variants.