Emergence and spread of JN.1 COVID-19 variant

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to significantly impact global health, economics, and public well-being.Millions suffer from long-term consequences or "long COVID," highlighting the enduring effects of the infection (Looi 2023).While existing public health measures and case monitoring remain vital (Looi 2023), the virus' constant evolution poses ongoing challenges.The recently identified JN.1 variant, classified as a "Variant of Interest" by the WHO due to its rapid spread (Gavi.2023), represents a growing public health concern.As of December 16th, 2023, JN.1 has been detected in 41 countries, comprising 27.1% of global sequences submitted to GISAID (World Health Organization (WHO) 2023).First identified in the US in September 2023, this variant has already become dominant in some nations, including the UK, Iceland, and Portugal (World Health Organization (WHO) 2023).This rapid spread, especially in developed nations with robust healthcare systems, raises significant concerns for developing countries with less resilient healthcare infrastructure.Novel strategies and rapid responses are crucial for effectively countering JN.1's threat.JN.1 appears to be more transmissible than other variants (Table 1), including its parent, BA.2.86 (World Health Organization (WHO) 2023; Adebowale and Adesola 2022).Its rapid circulation has made it the

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