Novel coronavirus JN.1 variant: Challenges and responses
As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, scientists continue to discover new variants of the virus. Recently, a new coronavirus mutant strain called JN.1
has attracted widespread attention. In this article, Mandelab will discuss the characteristics, spread and spread of JN.1 mutant strains and how to deal with this
challenge.
1. What is the JN.1 mutant strain?
JN.1 is the second-generation sub-branch of the new coronavirus Omicron BA.2.86 variant, and it is also a sub-branch of the BA.2.86 variant that has a strong
transmission advantage. The mutant strain was first detected in samples collected in Luxembourg on August 25 this year. Since November, due to the rapid
increase in the proportion of JN.1 among global circulating strains, the World Health Organization upgraded the BA.2.86 mutant strain from a "variant strain
requiring monitoring" (VUM) to a "variant strain requiring monitoring" on November 21. Variants of concern” (VOI).
2. Characteristics of JN.1 mutant strains
The JN.1 mutant strain is a variant of the new coronavirus, which is characterized by some mutations in the spike protein of the virus. These mutations may
affect the virus's ability to spread, its infectivity, and its susceptibility to existing vaccines and drugs. Currently, research on the JN.1 variant is still ongoing,
and scientists are working to understand its impact on public health.
3. Spread of JN.1 variant strain
Since November this year, the proportion of JN.1 mutant strains in the global epidemic strains has increased rapidly, from about 4% in early November to
about 30% in early December. As of December 10, the JN.1 variant has been detected in at least 40 countries/regions around the world. In terms of
distribution, Europe accounts for the highest proportion, and the proportion of JN.1 mutant strains in the Americas and other continents is also showing
a rapid growth trend.
4. Has the JN.1 variant begun to spread in my country?
The main prevalent strains in my country at this stage are still EG.5 and its subclades. Since the local JN.1 variant was first discovered in November, as of
December 10, a total of 7 JN.1 variants have been detected among local cases in my country. Although the current prevalence level of the JN.1 variant in
my country is extremely low, due to the subsequent impact of international epidemic strains and imported cases, the possibility of the JN.1 variant
becoming the dominant epidemic strain in the country cannot be ruled out.
5. Coping with the challenges of JN.1 mutant strains
Faced with the challenges posed by the JN.1 variant, governments and health organizations need to take a series of measures to deal with it. First,
strengthen virus surveillance and research to promptly detect new virus variants and assess their impact on public health. In addition, countries should
continue to strengthen vaccination efforts and improve population immunity levels. At the same time, corresponding vaccines and drugs are developed
to deal with possible virus mutations.
6. International cooperation and joint response
The spread of the new coronavirus does not respect national boundaries, so cooperation on a global scale is crucial. Governments and health organizations of
various countries should strengthen information sharing and jointly study the characteristics and transmission routes of virus variants in order to formulate
effective prevention and control strategies. In addition, developed countries should actively support the vaccination work of developing countries to help them
improve their immunity levels and jointly resist the threat of the virus.
The JN.1 variant of the new coronavirus has brought new challenges to global public health. Governments and health organizations need to strengthen
cooperation to jointly address this challenge. By strengthening virus monitoring, vaccination and drug research and development, we are confident that we can
defeat the virus and protect human life, safety and health.
