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India COVID sub-variant JN.1, now a WHO ‘variant of interest’
Context
Recently, the Union Health Ministry has announced an alert on the Indian variant of COVID-19, namely JN.1, which was included in the list of ‘variant of Interest’ by World Health Organisation (WHO).
About
i. The Rising COVID-19 Cases and JN.1 Sub-Variant:
- Focus: Surge in COVID-19 cases, particularly the JN.1 sub-variant.
- Statistics: India reports 21 cases of JN.1, with 19 traced to Goa, and 1 each in Kerala and Maharashtra.
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Understanding JN.1 Variant:
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ii. Authorities' Response and Home-based Treatment
- Alert Status: Authorities on high alert; 92% opt for home-based treatment.
- Government Actions: Health Minister's virtual meeting, emphasizing mock drills every three months.
- Statement: No need to panic; preparedness through drills, surveillance, and effective communication.
iii. Epidemiological Trends and Deaths in December
- Data Analyst's Insight: 19 COVID-19 deaths in December, conflicting reports of 16 deaths.
- Daily Cases: 614 fresh cases on December 19, the highest since May 20.
- Regional Trends: Kerala reports 2,041 of 2,311 active cases, attributing to robust reporting.
iv. WHO Monitoring and Variant of Interest (VOI)
- WHO Classification:1 classified as a VOI; considered a low global public health risk.
- Other VOIs:1.5, XBB.1.16, EG.5, BA.2.86—all descendants of omicron sub-variants.
v. Understanding Variants of Interest (VOIs)
- Definition: A SARS-CoV-2 variant with genetic changes impacting transmissibility, virulence, etc.
- VOI Criteria: Growth advantage in multiple WHO regions, increasing prevalence over time, and notable epidemiological impacts.
vi. Surveillance and Genome Sequencing
- Global Collaboration: Genomic surveillance, epidemiology, and clinical behavior monitoring.
- Submission Requirements: Countries encouraged submitting genome sequences to GISAID and share virus isolates via WHO Biohub.
vii. JN.1 Sequences and International Cooperation
- Data Submission: 7,344 JN.1 sequences from 41 countries on GISAID as of December 16.
- International Contribution: India third-largest contributor to GISAID globally.
Way Forward:
- Criteria for VOCs: Must meet VOI criteria and exhibit detrimental changes in severity, impact on health systems, or vaccine effectiveness.
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