A New Covid Subvariant JN.1 in Kerala

GS Paper III Science and Technology

Context: A case of Covid Subvariant JN.1 are spreading in the US and China, was discovered in Kerala.

Increase in COVID Subvariant JN.1 Cases in Kerala

Detection as Part of Routine Surveillance: The case was detected in an RT-PCR positive sample as part of INSACOG’s (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium) ongoing routine surveillance.
Influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms: The patient healed after experiencing moderate ILI symptoms.
Increase in COVID Subvariant JN.1 cases in Kerala: There has been an increasing trend of COVID-19 cases from Kerala over the last few weeks.
- This has been linked to an increase in the number of samples from ILI cases being referred for testing.

Omicron subvariant BA.2.86 or Pirola: The Covid subvariant JN.1 is a close relative of the BA.2.86 variant, commonly referred to as Pirola.
- It carries just one additional mutation in the spike protein as compared to its relative.

About Influenza

Seasonal influenza (the flu) is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses which spreads easily between people when they cough or sneeze.

About INSACOG’s (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium)

It is a national multi-agency consortium of Genome Sequencing Laboratories (RGSLs) laboratories established by the Government of India.
Its aims is to ascertain the status of Variants of Interest (VoI) and Variants of Concern (VoC) in the country

- Origin of Sequences: Majority sequences uploaded to the global database, originated from the United States, Canada, and various European countries.
Vaccine Preventable: As per the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the updated vaccines available in the country can effectively block Pirola infections and therefore can protect against JN.1 as well.

Upper respiratory symptoms, fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, mild gastrointestinal symptoms.

Role of Ancestral Spike Protein: It is expected to provide protection against newer variants.
Neutralization by Human Serum: Both Pirola and JN.1 were efficiently neutralized by human serum from individuals who had experienced the infection and vaccination.
Cumulative Impact of Infection and Vaccination: Serum from animals that only received the vaccine, without natural infection, did not exhibit the same neutralizing effect.
- Thus, cumulative impact of immunity through both infection and vaccination in humans is necessary for prevention.

News Source: Indian Express