Nepal Urges Calm Over New COVID JN.1 Variant in India

The Nepalese authorities have asked people not to be alarmed by the new type of coronavirus found in India. Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, spokesperson for the MoHP, said there is no need to fear the new variant found in neighboring India in two states (Kerala and Goa). This is related to respiratory infections, he said, so there's no need for people to be worried about it. Respiratory problems are on the rise in India and China, he says. If needed we can use the ICU equipment, oxygen plants, and other facilities built during the epidemic period.

In early December of this year, lineage JN.1 (an Omicron sub-lineage descended from BA.2.86) was detected in India and it has also been found in the US. Because of this increased transmissibility, it has become a source of apprehension. But symptoms have been mild, and the current vaccine is effective against it.

However Dr. Budhathoki noted that the new type of coronavirus hasn't shown up along with any other symptoms, he said. He said symptoms related to respiratory problems are also visible in this new variety. The health desks set up at the checkpoints and international airports have been alerted, and special attention is being paid to patients with breathlessness. On top of that, the spokesman stated, gene sequencing has been suggested for patients with chronic respiratory illnesses. The World Health Organization has also confirmed the presence of this new COVID-19 strain in India's Kerala and Goa State.