‘No sign of JN.1 variant of coronavirus in Nepal’

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 21: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday informed about the new JN.1 variant of coronavirus strain, classifying it as a ‘variant of interest’.

The WHO said that the new variant had a low risk to public health, and the current vaccine would still be effective and protect against severe disease and death from the JN. 1 variant of COVID-19.

Experts have said that the COVID-19 virus still poses a threat because of its ever-changing variants and easy transmission capability. According to Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun, Chief of the Clinical Research Unit at the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, there is not yet any evidence about the finding of the new variant in Nepal.

But since the new variant is seen active in India, and since we have an open border with India, the new variant is likely to enter Nepal sooner than later because of the free movements of people, he said. “Therefore, the responsible authorities should be serious about this.”

The surge in the cases of a new variant of JN.1 in India has caused concern in Nepal. The new variant was first found in Kerala State of India which later spread to Maharashtra and Goa. 

According to the Times of India, the active cases of COVID-19 in India have reached 1,970 from 938 in nine days.

The rise of the COVID-19 virus and its new variants around the glove has been the concern of all.

“The health effects of COVID-19 and its variants vary according to individuals. Some cause minor symptoms and others are life-threatening. The virus has been undergoing mutations, therefore, people should take precautions. Communicable diseases can pass on easily where there are a lot of movements of people. If the new variant is found, then the authorities should inform people about this as soon as possible,” said Pun.

Pun also stressed the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine and its booster doses. “Boosters have shown a good response to the virus, but it is not yet clear how many times one has to receive the jab. There should be a clear message about the boosters and their availability,” Dr. Pun added.

COVID-19 virus mutation is not a new phenomenon. Over the years it has undergone several mutations. Only the usage of vaccines and herd immunity have helped fight the virus.

“We will see the outcome of the new variant soon in India, and its impact on people. Only after that, we will know whether the variant is more dangerous than the previous ones. Till then, the authorities should increase their surveillance and the general public should take precautions while going to crowded places,” Dr. Pun said.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. By now it killed almost seven million people around the world with 12,031 reported deaths in Nepal.