JN.1 Variant of the Coronavirus

General Studies Paper II: Health, Major International Institutions

JN.1 Variant of the Coronavirus

Why in News? 

Recently, there has been a rise in COVID-19 cases in countries including India, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Experts identify the JN.1 variant as the primary driver of the current surge in infections, with India reporting over 250 cases by 19 May 2025.

What is the JN.1 Variant of the Coronavirus?

• Introduction:
  • Even years after the emergence of the coronavirus, its new forms continue to appear. Recently, the JN.1 variant has once again heightened global concern.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified it as a ‘Variant of Interest’, indicating that this form requires serious monitoring.
• Origin:
  • The JN.1 variant is a sub-lineage of the Omicron BA.2.86 strain (also known as Pirola).
  • It was first identified in August 2023 and was classified under a special category by WHO in December 2023.
• Genetic Characteristics:
  • This variant has undergone a significant change in the spike protein, which enables it to bind more easily to human cells.
  • That is why JN.1 is considered more infectious than its predecessor BA.2.86.
  • Its genetic structure differs from its ancestor.
  • It contains approximately 30 mutations, allowing it to evade the human immune system.
• Symptoms:
  • The symptoms of JN.1 are similar to those of earlier Omicron variants.
  • In most cases, the symptoms are mild, but vigilance is still necessary.
  • Key symptoms include: sore throat, runny or blocked nose, dry cough, fever and chills, headache and muscle pain, fatigue or weakness, nausea or diarrhea, loss of taste or smell.
• Testing:
  • For identifying JN.1, the RT-PCR test is primarily used.
    • This test provides the most accurate information and results are delivered within 24–48 hours.
  • If the sample tests positive, it is sent for Genomic Sequencing to confirm the specific variant.
• Impact:
  • In countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, this variant is spreading rapidly. 
  • In Singapore, a 28% increase in cases was recorded from late April to early May.
    In Hong Kong, 31 deaths and over 1,000 new cases were reported within a week of May.
  • In India, as of May 2025, over 250 cases have been confirmed, with 2 reported deaths. 

Information Related to Coronavirus

Coronavirus is a cause of global concern. This virus is highly contagious, spreads rapidly, and new variants continue to emerge.

• Pandemic:
  • The COVID-19 pandemic began in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, China. Initially, the infection was limited locally, but within weeks, it transformed into a global pandemic.
    • A pandemic refers to a situation when an infectious disease spreads across an entire country or worldwide.
    • It not only claims millions to billions of lives but also deeply affects social structures, economies, population dynamics, and cultural life.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it an international public health emergency on January 30, 2020, and a global pandemic on March 11, 2020.
  • This virus is characterized by its rapid spread among humans, with initial symptoms varying in severity across different individuals.
• Zoonotic Origin:
  • The scientific name of the coronavirus is SARS-CoV-2, believed to have originated from mammals like bats and possibly pangolins, transmitting to humans.
  • Such infections are called zoonotic infections.
  • Experts believe the virus originated naturally, and there is no solid evidence supporting biological or artificial leakage theories.
  • A key feature of the virus is its spike protein, which helps it attach to and enter human cells, facilitating easy transmission.
• Variants:
  • One of the most dangerous features of the coronavirus is its continuous mutation tendency.
  • Several variants have emerged so far, such as Alpha, Beta, Delta, Omicron, and many of their sub-variants like BA.1, BA.2, BA.5.
  • Variants like KP.2, KP.3, JN.1.18 have been placed on the WHO’s Variants Under Monitoring list.
• Impact:
  • The coronavirus has infected hundreds of millions globally and caused millions of deaths.
  • Healthcare systems collapsed, with severe shortages of hospital beds, oxygen, and medicines.
  • On the other hand, lockdowns and restrictions severely impacted people’s economic conditions.
  • Problems such as unemployment, mental stress, disruptions in education, and breakdown in global supply chains arose simultaneously.

Outbreak of Pandemics in History

Throughout history, pandemics have repeatedly struck, changing the course of entire civilizations.

• Antonine Plague (165-180 AD): This plague spread with the Roman Empire’s army, causing the death of nearly 50 million people. It is believed to have been either Smallpox or Measles.
• Justinian Plague (541-542 AD): This pandemic claimed 30 to 50 million lives across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The original source was believed to be fleas found on rats.
• Middle Ages 
  • Black Death (1347-1351): Also known as the Bubonic Plague, it is one of the deadliest pandemics in human history. It wiped out nearly 50% of Europe’s population, causing around 200 million deaths. This disease also spread through rats and fleas.
  • Smallpox in 1520: This outbreak killed over 56 million people and was especially devastating for the indigenous populations of America, wiping out about 90% of their population. Smallpox aided European colonialism.
• Modern Era:
  • Asian Flu (1957-1958) and Hong Kong Flu (1968-1970) together caused over 2 million deaths.
  • The Spanish Flu (1918-1919), spreading after World War I amid human insecurity and overcrowding, caused 40 to 80 million deaths worldwide.
  • HIV/AIDS (1981-present) is a slow-spreading but highly fatal pandemic, claiming 25 to 35 million lives globally.
  • Other pandemics such as SARS (2002), MERS (2012), Ebola (2014), and Swine Flu (2009) have also been major warnings for the health sector.
  • COVID-19 (2019-present) emerged as a global public health emergency, causing over 9 million deaths so far and transforming the entire way of life worldwide.