An alert was issued following the detection of a new Covid variant that is “more transmissible” in several countries.
In an update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the emergence of the JN. 1 strain of the coronavirus, recently discovered in the United Kingdom, the United States, Iceland, Portugal and Spain.
It is “taking off” in France, warns one expert.
CDC officials say they are “still learning” about JN. 1, which lately accounts for a fraction of all Covid cases.
However, infectious disease experts have claimed that this new variant could soon become a problem.
READ MORE Doctor warns that Covid cases could be “underestimated”: key symptoms to look out for
According to Amesh Adalja, a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, JN. 1 is a descendant of BA. 2. 86, known as the Pirola variant, which in turn derives from Omicron.
As reported via Prevention. com, Thomas Russo, professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York, said: “BA. 2. 86 has more than 20 mutations in the Spike protein and there was fear when it was first detected. It does, wow, this can be a genuine problem.
He explained that JN. 1 has an additional mutation in its BA. 2. 86 spike protein, which the coronavirus uses to attach to your cells and make you sick.
So far, 51 cases of JN. 1 have been reported worldwide, in 11 countries.
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But that may increase only temporarily, experts say.
Dr Russo said: “JN. 1 has been described in several countries, the United States, Iceland, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands.
“In France this is also becoming more and more common, and it turns out that it is taking off. “
Because of a mutation in its spike protein, JN. 1 appears to be “much more immune evasive than its parents,” Dr. Russo added, making it “pretty sneaky. “
“As a result, we would possibly be in danger of getting more infections,” he said.
JN. 1 is also considered to be very contagious.
“Some knowledge suggests that JN. 1’s BA. 2. 86 parent is possibly more transmissible than previous variants,” Dr. Russo said.
“Since JN. 1 is a derivative of BA. 2. 86, it is feared that it is no longer transmissible. “
This comes as the emergence of the HV. 1 Covid strain, which is a mother of Omicron, Express. co. uk reported.
Symptoms to look for
It is believed that the JN. 1 strain may cause the same symptoms that we have already noticed with Covid.
William Schaffner, a professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said, “This is an Omicron variant and it’s similar. “
The CDC lists common symptoms as follows:
If you have Covid symptoms, the NHS recommends you stay at home and avoid contact with other people, if possible, for five days.