A new Covid variant is spreading fast in the US, and it’s “highly contagious”, a doctor who specializes in infectious diseases has warned.
New variant JN.1 is a heavily mutated new strain and is now the fastest-growing variant in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The variant currently accounts for more than one-fifth of all infections in the US. And while the HV.1 sub-variant is the dominant strain right now, JN.1 is not far behind.
HV.1 accounted for 30 percent of Covid cases in the US during the two-week period ending on December 9, according to the CDC, and JN.1 made up about 21 percent.
The JN.1 strain has sparked concern among scientists due to its rapid growth rate and large number of mutations. Scientists have said the variant is a direct offshoot of BA.2.86, also known as “Pirola,” which hit the US over the summer.
All of the most dominant Covid variants currently in the US are descendants of Omicron, which began in late 2021. Some doctors are concerned JN.1 could cause a Covid surge as the US enters the winter season and respiratory virus cases rise.
First detected in September 2023, JN.1 is part of the Omicron family and has been detected in at least 12 countries so far, including the US, according to the CDC.
It is unclear whether JN.1 causes symptoms different from other variants, according to the CDC, but its symptoms seem to be similar to those caused by other strains.
These symptoms include: sore throat, congestion, runny nose, cough, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, fever or chills, and a loss of sense of taste or smell. The severity of a person’s symptoms usually depends on their underlying health and immunity.
