WHO: New Covid-19 variant JN.1 is spreading rapidly

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the new Covid-19 variant JN.1 is spreading rapidly.

The WHO stated that the risk it poses to global public health is currently assessed as "low".

The statement noted, "Despite this, with the onset of winter in the northern hemisphere, JN.1 could increase the burden of respiratory infections in many countries."

The statement, which noted that the WHO is continuously monitoring the data, also emphasized that it will update the risk assessment for JN.1 as necessary.

The statement reminded that current Covid-19 vaccines continue to provide protection against severe disease and death from JN.1 and other circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2.

The statement, which called for taking precautions against infection and severe disease, included measures such as wearing masks in crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated areas, maintaining a safe distance whenever possible, washing hands regularly, keeping Covid-19 and flu vaccinations up to date for those at high risk of severe disease, and getting tested for those with symptoms of illness.

JN.1 was previously being studied as one of the sub-lineage variants of BA.2.86.

News Source: 12punto