As rightly said, ‘A man is a product and producer of his environment,’ as are the microbes. Microbes serve as silent warriors with notable impacts on the world of science. On the contrary, quantifiable levels of changes in the genome composition of such tiniest organisms (mainly viruses) will pose a threat to society. The world population faced such a threat in December 2019 with COVID-19, which prompted extensive and unprecedented lockdowns, unrest, and travel restrictions. Despite proper government regulations and the availability of immunization globally, the emergence of Delta and Omicron variants is documented worldwide. Erstwhile only genetic and aerosol transmission were considered responsible for COVID-19 while surveillance case study reported by Kolluru and team deduces air pollution as a silent agent in increasing COVID-19 cases. Therefore, manual interventions in the genetic complexity give rise to uncontrollable pandemic situations, whereas environmental factors also result in the prevalence and emergence of novel viral strains.
Accordingly, a novel COVID subvariant, JN.1 (popularly considered a variant of interest), was recognized by the World Health Organisation in December 2023. The JN.1 (BA.2.86.1.1) variety, which is descended from the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 lineage (Pirola), first appeared in late 2023. The circulating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB lineages, such as EG.5.1 and HK.3, are phylogenetically distinct from the BA.2.86 lineage, originally discovered in August 2023. According to the reports, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) discovered this subvariant on December 16, 2023, in a 79-year-old woman. As of December 28, 2023, a total of 109 JN.1 COVID variant cases were reported in India. As per the Health Ministry, the majority of cases are reported in Gujarat, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Rajasthan, and home isolation is suggested for the patients. The genome sequencing confirms the presence of the first case of the JN.1 subvariant in Delhi. A direct link between air pollution and COVID-19 cases is discussed by several researchers worldwide, which in turn suggests the silent role of pollution in increasing cases of COVID-19. For instance, exposure to pollutants is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, two conditions that can exacerbate a person’s body’s reaction to any virus, including the coronavirus.
Variant of Interest
Notably, According to VK Paul, a NITI Aayog member for health issues, despite the recent spike in COVID-19 cases connected to the JN.1 strain, there hasn’t been a commensurate rise in severe instances. The majority of those infected with this variant have moderate symptoms like fever and cough. Moreover, Soumya Swaminathan (former chief scientist at WHO) also emphasized the need to stick to the recommended preventative measures because the virus features haven’t changed all that much. JN.1 has been classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a variant of interest; as opposed to a variant of concern, meaning that while it still has to be monitored closely, there is presently no reason for concern. JN.1 does not appear to be linked to an increase in instances of severe illness or symptoms that are different from those linked to earlier strains, while there is not enough data to draw any firm conclusions yet. The majority of COVID symptoms are comparable across variations, and the degree of the symptoms usually depends more on the individual immunity than the variation. In accordance, a close view of the occurrence of novel mutations, intensity, discernible change in symptoms, and hospital admissions should be maintained. Rather, the severity and symptoms of COVID-19 are generally constant amongst variations, but the host’s immunological responses also play a major role in disease potential.
First Line of Defence
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that symptoms, viz., body ache, diarrhea, fever, runny nose, and difficulty in breathing are common among all COVID variants but severity depends on the individual’s immunity and other prevailing diseases. Based on recent past trends, the CDC predicted a rise in COVID-19 and other respiratory illness cases this autumn and winter. The CDC has emphasized that antiviral therapies should continue to be effective against JN.1 and other variants and that COVID-19 testing should be able to identify them.
This emphasizes how crucial vaccination is as the first line of defense against JN.1 and all other virus strains. Because of the ongoing threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its variations, preventive measures remain critical. People should keep up with routines such as wearing protective masks in confined spaces, thoroughly cleaning their hands, and keeping up-to-date immunization records. This is particularly critical for those who have a higher risk of developing serious illnesses. It is important to emphasize that these precautions are effective not only against JN.1 but also against a wider range of SARS-CoV-2 genotypes. We should keep implementing a strong emphasis on preventive measures like mask usage, hand washing, and immunization when fighting COVID-19 and its variants. In addition, the emergence of novel respiratory diseases complicates the public health landscape and necessitates the development of an all-encompassing global health strategy. Moreover, research on the interlinks of pollution to the spread and prevalence of COVID should be discovered for both elements.
*The writer is Associate Professor, School of Computational & Integrative Sciences (SC&IS), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
BOX: Basic Facts About JN.1
- JN.1 is a sub-variant of Omicron, which means it has evolved after mutation in Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus. This new mutation has occurred in the spike protein which makes JN.1 evade immunity achieved by previous vaccination/ natural infection.
- It has a much higher transmissibility rate as compared to Omicron, which implies it can infect a larger number of people than Omicron.
- Common symptoms of infection include cough, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, and fever, which can be high grade. Headaches have also been reported.
- Some critical symptoms include breathing difficulties and gastrointestinal issues.
- Severity of symptoms could worsen due to underlying conditions such as diabetes, cholesterol, stress, cancer, autoimmune diseases, etc.
- People with previous COVID infections should be more careful to prevent further damage to lungs.
- To curb the spread of infection, experts advise adhering to all necessary precautions, such as washing hands regularly and wearing masks.
Reverse isolation is equally important — people who are ill should avoid stepping out of the house or attending gatherings in closed spaces, and if they cannot avoid that, they should wear a mask to protect others from catching infection.
