3 hours ago
Last Updated:May 19, 2025, 10:03 IST
JN.1, a variant of Omicron BA.2.86, emerged in late 2023 with 30 immune-evasion mutations. It spreads more efficiently due to additional mutations, says Johns Hopkins University.
The prevalent variants at present are LF.7 and NB.1.8, both descendants of JN.1, making up over two-thirds of sequenced cases in Singapore. (Photo: AP file)
A fresh wave of COVID-19 has emerged across parts of Asia, raising alarms worldwide. Countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Thailand are reporting a notable increase in new infections. This surge is largely attributed to the spread of new Omicron subvariants, including JN.1 and its related descendants, prompting renewed vigilance among health authorities.
In Singapore alone, infections rose sharply to over 14,000 in early May 2025 from 11,100 cases in the last week of April. While hospitalisations have also gone up, ICU cases have seen a slight decline. Officials report no evidence suggesting that the current variants are more transmissible or severe than those seen previously.
The increase may be attributed to waning immunity, with periodic waves being anticipated. The prevalent variants at present are LF.7 and NB.1.8, both descendants of JN.1, making up over two-thirds of sequenced cases.
Despite a surge in cases across parts of Asia, Indian health authorities have not observed a significant rise domestically. There are 93 active COVID-19 cases in the country as of 19 May 2025, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In Mumbai, doctors have noted a slight uptick in mild cases, primarily among younger individuals, but there is no indication of a new wave. Health officials advise continued vigilance, especially as neighbouring countries experience increased transmission.
Which Countries Are Reporting Surge In Covid-19 Cases? Should You Travel To These Countries?
All About JN.1 Strain?
JN.1 is a descendant of the Omicron BA.2.86 lineage that was identified in August 2023. It was labelled as the Variant of Interest by the WHO in December 2023. This variant features approximately 30 mutations aimed at evading immunity, more than any other variant circulating at that time. However, BA.2.86 did not become the dominant strain among the SARS-CoV-2 variants present in late summer and early fall of 2023.
JN.1, a descendant of BA.2.86, has developed the capability to transmit more efficiently through an additional one or two mutations. While it retains the immune evasion characteristics of its predecessor, JN.1 has now evolved to spread more effectively, as per Johns Hopkins University, a Maryland-based varsity which became one of the most reliable global sources for COVID-19 data during the pandemic.
The JN.1 variant remains the most common SARS-CoV-2 variant across all four WHO regions during epidemiological week 12, with sequence shares of 93.9% in the Western Pacific region (WPR), 85.7% in the South East Asia region (SEAR), 94.7% in the European region (EUR), and 93.2% in the region of the Americas (AMR).
Will Existing Covid-19 Vaccines Work On JN.1 Strain?
Multiple studies indicate that the JN.1 variant is more difficult for the immune system to neutralize. Research involving both live viruses and lab-created pseudo-viruses has shown that antibodies from vaccinated or previously infected individuals are less effective at blocking JN.1 compared to earlier variants. This suggests that JN.1 can partially evade the body’s existing immune defenses.
The XBB.1.5 monovalent booster, a Covid-19 vaccine specifically designed to target the XBB.1.5 subvariant of Omicron, has been shown in several studies to boost protection against the JN.1 variant, the WHO said.
The booster increases the body’s antibody response, and its effectiveness in preventing symptomatic JN.1 infection ranges from 19% to 49%, based on US research.
Several XBB.1.5 monovalent COVID-19 vaccines are available globally, including Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty and Moderna’s Spikevax (both mRNA-based, approved in the US, EU, Canada, Australia, and others), Novavax’s Nuvaxovid (protein subunit, approved in the EU), and Zapomeran (Kostaive), a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine approved in Japan and the EU.
Is XBB.1.5 monovalent booster Available In India?
As of May 2025, the Covovax XBB.1.5 monovalent booster is the only COVID-19 vaccine in India specifically updated to target the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant.
JN.1 Symptoms
JN.1 symptoms are largely similar to other COVID-19 variants, including sore throat, fever, runny or blocked nose, dry cough, fatigue, headache, loss of taste or smell, muscle pain, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea, and vomiting. In some cases, it may cause more severe fatigue and exhaustion. Shortness of breath is a serious symptom that needs prompt medical attention.
Most mild cases can be managed with basic care at home. The severity depends more on a person’s health and immunity than the variant itself. Due to widespread vaccination and prior infections, JN.1 is less likely to cause severe illness than earlier strains.
Location : First Published:News explainers Covid-19 Surge In Asia: How Dangerous Is JN.1 Variant And Are Existing Vaccines Effective?
