WHO monitoring new COVID variant

The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring a new coronavirus variant named JN.1, an offshoot of the highly mutated "Pirola" strain, which itself is a variant of the omicron variant BA.2.86. The Pirola strain has been a cause for concern due to its potential to evade prior immunity from infections and vaccinations. 

The WHO had already classified BA.2.86 as a "variant of interest" and is now giving separate attention to JN.1 due to its rapid global spread, constituting the majority of reported BA.2.86 descendants. 

Despite its classification, both the WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that current booster vaccines remain effective against JN.1, and there is currently no indication that this variant leads to more severe disease compared to other variants. The overall risk to public health is considered low, based on limited available evidence.

Read more: Forbes

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