Jaipur, May 21, 2025.
In the wake of rising COVID-19 cases in parts of Asia, the health authorities are monitoring the JN.1 variant, a descendant of the Omicron strain. Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Thailand have detected many cases. While India has also reported over 250 active cases in different cities including Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shirodkar has also been tested COVID positive.
Southeast Asia’s recent COVID-19 surge is primarily driven by JN.1, variant evolved from Omicron BA.2.86. According to the World Health Organisation, this variant carries approximately 30 mutations in its genetic makeup. Among the recent cases, two specific mutations – LF.7 and NB.1.8 have emerged as the most prevalent versions.
JN.1, discovered in August 2023, is a new member of the Omicron BA.2.86 family. What makes this variant special? According to Johns Hopkins Medicine experts, it has two important features-
- It spreads more easily between people
- It has about 30 changes in its structure, making it trickier for our body to recognise and fight
Yale Medicine researchers point out that JN.1 has a special change in its “spike,” the part that helps the virus enter our cells. Think of it like a key that’s been modified to better unlock our body’s defenses. However, scientists are still studying exactly how this works.
In simple terms, JN.1 is like an upgraded version of earlier COVID variants, designed to be better at spreading and avoiding our immune system’s protective measures.
