- By Iram Hussain
- Mon, 19 May 2025 05:45 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
As the world navigates the post-pandemic landscape, a new COVID-19 variant, JN.1, has emerged spreading rapidly across Asia and beyond. Originating from the Omicron BA.2.86 lineage, JN.1 boasts mutations in its spike protein, rendering it highly contagious and capable of evading existing immune defences. A fresh wave of COVID-19 infections is sweeping across Asia with sounding alarms globally. Countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Thailand are reporting significant spikes in new cases, largely attributed to Omicron subvariants including JN.1.
Singapore has indeed seen a significant surge in COVID-19 cases with infections soaring to over 14,200 in early May 2025 up from 11,100 in late April as per the reports. This represents a 28% rise in just one week. While hospitalisations have increased, ICU cases have slightly declined with officials noting no evidence of increased transmissibility or severity compared to previous variants.
What Is The JN.1 COVID Variant?
The World Health Organization (WHO) designated the JN.1 variant which originated from the Omicron BA.2.86 lineage detected in August 2023 as a Variant of Interest in December 2023. Notably, BA.2.86 boasted approximately 30 mutations designed to evade immunity, surpassing other circulating variants at the time. Although it didn't dominate in late summer 2023, JN.1 has since evolved through additional mutations, enhancing its transmission efficiency. Retaining its parent's immune evasion capabilities, JN.1 has adapted to spread more effectively, posing a renewed concern. Its mutated form has enabled more efficient transmission while underscoring the need for continued vigilance and monitoring.
Common Symptoms
Fever, ranging from mild to high often accompanied by chills.
A dry cough is typical with occasional productive coughing.
Fatigue is widespread, leaving individuals feeling drained and sluggish.
Other symptoms may include a sore throat, headache and general malaise. While not everyone experiences all symptoms, they can significantly impact daily life. These symptoms often resemble those of previous COVID-19 variants, highlighting the importance of testing and medical evaluation for accurate diagnosis and treatment.