New Covid Variants JN.1 and HV.1 Surface in US and UK, Prompting Concerns

After a period of declining Covid-19 cases, new infections have emerged with the discovery of two novel variants, JN.1 and HV.1, raising concerns among health authorities. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has highlighted these variants, both of which possess properties that could potentially evade the immune system.

JN.1, part of the same lineage as BA.2.86, exhibits an additional spike mutation known as the L455S mutation, which grants it immune-evasion capabilities. Detected in the US in September, JN.1 has also been found in 11 other countries, including the UK, Iceland, Portugal, and Spain. Although JN.1 accounts for less than 0.1 percent of SARS-CoV-2 viruses circulating in the US, it has raised concerns due to its ability to evade immune responses. The CDC has noted that current data suggest updated Covid vaccines will likely provide protection against BA.2.86, and similar efficacy is expected against JN.1.

In addition to JN.1, HV.1 surfaced in mid-summer and now constitutes almost 20 percent of all Covid cases in the US. HV.1 is a sub-variant of Omicron XBB, originating from EG.5. Both JN.1 and HV.1 are considered transmissible.

Experts emphasize that the emergence of new variants is expected as long as Covid-19 persists. While most variants exhibit minor changes compared to previous ones, health agencies, including the CDC, continue to monitor their impact on vaccines, tests, and treatments. Swift public alerts will be issued if any concerning developments are detected.

The situation with these new variants is evolving, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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