There is a new COVID variant, classified by
the Geneva-based World Health Organization as a
variant of interest due to its “rapidly increasing spread.”
“WHO is classifying the variant JN.1 as a
separate variant of interest from the parent lineage
BA.2.86 (which) was previously classified as VOI as
part of BA.2.86 sublineages,” WHO said in a media
advisory.
“Based on available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently
evaluated as low,” it added.
Based on available evidence, WHO said
JN.1 poses a low global health risk – which is heartening – and added current vaccines still serve as protection against severe disease and death from JN.1 and
other variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes
COVID-19.
Another backrest for relief is the assurance
by the Department of Health that existing vaccines
against COVID-19 remain effective against JN.1.
Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag said in an
interview: “We have yet to receive evidence the vaccines we receive, even the new vaccines available in
other countries, do not offer protection.”
Tayag’s statement chased the DOH report
that it recorded 18 cases of JN.1 in the Philippines –
all of which have since recovered.
Tayag was careful and said the DOH remains
on guard against the subvariant because JN.1 has
been declared a variant of interest by the WHO.
Aside from this, cases of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and common childhood pneumonia
are on the rise.
WHO itself continues to monitor evidence,
and said it will update the risk evaluation of JN.1 as
needed.
It has appealed to the public to practice measures to avoid infection and illnesses.
These should help protect the population:
wearing a mask in crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated areas; keep a safe distance from others, as
feasible; improve ventilation; practice respiratory etiquette — covering coughs and sneezes; clean your
hands regularly; stay up to date with vaccinations
against COVID-19 and influenza, especially if you are
at high risk for severe disease; stay home if you are
sick; and get tested if you have symptoms, or if you
might have been exposed to someone with COVID-19
or influenza.
Tayag advised the public to still get vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19, and continue practicing health protocols like hand washing and social
distancing.
We understand symptoms of JN.1 infection
do not differ from those of flu-like illnesses, which include coughs, fever and sore throat that usually last
from three to five days.
At this point experts admit it’s hard to differentiate JN.1 from other influenza-like illness
