Nepal Confirms Absence of JN.1 COVID-19 Variant Amid Global Concerns

In the latest round of COVID-19 tests and subsequent gene sequencing conducted by the National Public Health Laboratory in Nepal, no cases of the JN.1 strain of COVID-19 have been confirmed. The samples, collected from the Nepal-India border point and provincial health laboratories in November, have all tested negative for the variant.

Despite the reassuring news from Nepal, neighboring India is grappling with the increasing spread of the JN.1 strain. India reported 412 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the total active cases to 4,170. The death toll in the country has reached 5,33,337, with three new fatalities reported from Karnataka in the last 24 hours, according to the Times of India.

India has now witnessed six additional cases of the COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1, bringing the total reported infections of this new variant to 69.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a “variant of interest.” However, the WHO emphasizes that there is no evidence suggesting an increased risk to public health relative to other circulating variants. The organization further highlights that an updated vaccine shot is believed to provide continued protection against the JN.1 variant.

While Nepal remains vigilant, health authorities are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the importance of continued testing, vaccination, and adherence to public health measures to prevent the potential spread of the variant in the country.

The global community continues to collaborate in efforts to understand and manage emerging COVID-19 variants, with ongoing research and surveillance aimed at maintaining public health and safety worldwide.