The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday of the rapid expansion of the new JN.1 variant of the covid virus and pointed out that, “with the arrival of winter in the northern hemisphere, the JN.1 could increase the burden of respiratory infections in many countries”.
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It is the variant of the covid virus that is spreading the fastest in the world. It was first detected in September and is on track to become the dominant variant on a global scale.
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It stands out because it has more capacity for contagion. The JN.1 is part of the large family of omicron variants, which emerged at the end of 2021 and which has not stopped evolving since then. Since last winter, a variant of the omicron called XBB.1.5 has predominated. Another emerged in the summer, BA.2.86, which puzzled virologists because it did not descend from the XBB lineage, but from a more primitive version of the omicron. Although it had more than 40 mutations compared to XBB.1.5, it did not have a large expansion as feared. The JN.1 is an evolved version of the BA.2.86, with a much higher expansion capacity.
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The JN.1 variant has a single mutation with respect to its mother, BA.2.86. This mutation, called L455B, affects the S protein of the coronavirus, which is the protein that antibodies recognize. The L455B mutation allows the coronavirus to evade the immune system’s antibodies.
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As it is a variant of recent appearance, “it is currently not possible to know whether JN.1 (…) produces different symptoms than other subvariants of the omicron”, informs the American Medical Association (AMA). The AMA points out that “in general there have been similar symptoms between the different variants”, so it should be expected that the symptoms will be similar. The most common include cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, tiredness, headache, muscle aches and altered sense of smell.
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Surprisingly, the booster doses given in the fall in Spain offer high protection against the JN.1 variant. These vaccines were designed against the XBB.1.5 variant. The fact that JN.1 has more than 40 mutations compared to XBB.1.5 raised fears that the vaccines would be ineffective. But it has been shown that current vaccines raise the levels of antibodies capable of neutralizing the JN.1 variant, reports epidemiologist Antoni Trilla, from the Clínic hospital. They have limited effectiveness in preventing infections, but high in preventing serious complications and hospitalizations. According to the AMA, the current vaccines mean that, if covid is contracted, the symptoms will be milder and last less.
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Variants of the omicron family, of which JN.1 is a part, are more contagious and less virulent than earlier variants that predominated in the first waves of the pandemic. Immunity acquired thanks to vaccines and contagions has contributed significantly to reducing cases of severe covid. But cases that require hospital admission continue to be registered. Last year, 3,760 people died in Spain due to covid, according to INE data. For this reason, it is advised that people who are most at risk of serious complications take a booster dose if they have not already taken one.
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The coincidence of the JN.1 variant, the Christmas holidays and the cold of winter make it possible to predict a significant increase in infections in the coming weeks, warns Antoni Trilla. To avoid becoming infected, and to avoid infecting other people, the WHO recommends wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated places, washing your hands regularly, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze , stay home if you are sick and be up to date on vaccinations.
