Rise Of COVID JN.1 Variant: Genome Lab Data Raises Concerns, Health Ministry Urges State To Be Vigilant

Over the last two weeks, all analysed SARS-CoV-2 samples were identified as the newly designated JN.1 variant, India's Covid-19 genomic sequencing consortium INSACOG has said.

However, this data may not accurately represent the overall variant distribution in India due to a halt in genome sequence submissions from most states since June-July.

Despite the World Health Organisation declaring Covid-19 no longer a public health emergency in May, JN.1 was recently designated a "variant of interest," with a current low global public health risk assessment.

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has urged states to increase testing and submit more samples for sequencing to monitor the evolving situation according to a report from The Indian Express.

The data suggests that the JN.1 variant could potentially become the dominant strain in India, mirroring trends seen in other countries.

However, gaps in genome sequencing from several states raise concerns about comprehensive surveillance.

According to the official data, 21 cases of JN.1 have been detected here so far - 19 from Goa, one from Kerala, and one from an area near the Goa-Maharashtra border. There has been no clustering of cases, said the Health Ministry.