JN.1 designated by WHO as separate COVID-19 variant of interest

WHO designates JN.1 as separate COVID-19 variant of interest PAHO/Flickr cc CIDRAP

Due to its rapid growth and potential to add to the respiratory virus burden in Northern Hemisphere countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) today designated JN.1, part of the BA.2.86 SARS-CoV-2 lineage, as its own variant of interest.

Over the past month, the proportion of JN.1 viruses has rapidly increased, rising from 3.3% in early November to 27.1% by early December. Countries reporting the highest proportions include France, the United States, Singapore, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

The WHO said its Western Pacific region saw the biggest jump in JN.1 proportions. Singapore is experiencing a record surge in COVID-19, which prompted a health ministry statement strongly urging people to wear a mask, according to a media report.

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