WHO Urges Strengthened Surveillance and Protective Measures Amidst Rising Covid Cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on countries in the Southeast Asia Region to enhance surveillance and implement protective measures in response to an increase in respiratory diseases, including the emergence of the Covid sub-variant JN.1. Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, emphasized the need for countries to strengthen surveillance, sequencing, and data sharing to monitor the evolution of the Covid-19 virus.

While JN.1 is classified as a variant of interest, the current public health risk is considered low at the global level, but vigilance is essential. With the holiday season and winter approaching in some countries, where poor ventilation may facilitate virus transmission, people are urged to take protective measures, seek timely clinical care when unwell, and prioritize vaccination against both COVID-19 and influenza, especially for those at high risk.