Newest Coronavirus variant JN.1 highly transmissible: MoHP

KATHMANDU: The infection rate of the newest sub-variant of Coronavirus, JN.1, is found to be increasing in Nepal.

According to Dr Rudra Prasad Marasini, Director of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), the transmission rate of this new variant from one person to another is higher compared to other variants.

Marasini said, "The transmission rate of JN.1 is higher in the cities as there are more crowds. The fatality rate and complications of the infection are, however, low."

It may be noted that the JN.1 sub-variant was detected in seven of the 16 samples tested at the National Public Health Laboratory last Monday. JN.1 is the newest variant of Omicron.

Since the new sub-variant is highly transmissible, the MoHP has urged everyone to exercise precautionary measures in a crowd such as wearing a face mask, maintaining physical distance, and keeping hands clean by washing frequently among others.

In view of the increasing infection rate of the new sub-variant of Coronavirus, the MoHP said it has been conducting screening of suspected individuals through the health desks set up at the border entry points .

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