Spread of Covid-19 subvariants: Is IN.1 more contagious?

The rise in global cases shows that JN.1, a subline of Omicron, could outperform other variants due to its high potential for immune escape, experts say. That is why, given its rapid spread, the WHO has classified JN.1 as a 'variant of interest' (VOI), different from the mainline BA.2.86. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) describes it as the fastest growing variant in that country. 21 cases of the Covid-19 subvariant have already been identified in India and while there is no need to panic, people are wondering if it is a rapid spread.

Dr. Rajesh Karyakarte, Maharashtra's genome sequencing coordinator, says the growth benefit is exponential, citing WHO data showing how JN.1 rose rapidly from just 3.3 percent of all coronavirus cases among on October 30 and on November 5 to 27 percent a month later. . "This is an 86 percent growth benefit," Dr. Karyakarte said, reasoning that this was due to increased transmission, immune escape and a prolonged period of infection.

This suggests it is contagious and increasingly able to evade the body's immune defenses than the ancestral strain, the CDC said. But the peak of transmission does not mean that it causes serious illness, since hospitalization is low. Experts also say that it is a low-risk infection and that people with previous infection and/or vaccination should not worry. Genome researchers Vinod Scaria and Bani Jolly have said that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is constantly evolving and forming new lineages. “Each infection gives the virus the opportunity to evolve further and JN.1 is an Omicron sublineage characterized by an additional mutation of the spike protein, L455S. The high immune escape property would mean that JN.1 could outperform other variants,” they say.

Infectious disease expert Dr. Ameet Dravid says the virus is going through mutations to become stronger and that process will continue. “Until now, we have been treating mild upper respiratory infections in a hospital setting. However, there is a possibility of an increase in cases as the variant is more immunologically evasive. It is important to get vaccinated, especially for those who are partially vaccinated,” said Dr. Dravid. No noticeable symptoms have yet been observed and the manifestations are similar to the previous variants: sore or itchy throat, fatigue, headache, body aches, congestion, cough and fever.