WHO Declared Corona's New Strain JN.1 As "Variant Of Interest"

The World Health Organisation has named JN-1, the new form of the Omicron strain of the coronavirus, as a 'variant of interest' due to its rapid spread.

• Sub-variant JN-1 is a descendant of Omicron's BA.2.86 variant, commonly known as Pirola.
• JN-1 was previously classified as a 'Variant of Interest' as part of its parent lineage, BA.2.86.
• But it has now been classified separately as a 'variant of interest'.

First case of JN.1 in the World:

• The first case of JN.1 was reported in the US in September 2023.

First case of JN.1 in India:

• The first case of Corona JN.1 was reported in Kerala, India.
• A 79-year-old woman was infected in Kerala.

World Health Organisation (WHO):

• The World Health Organisation is the United Nations specialised agency for health.
• It is an intergovernmental organisation that works closely with member countries through their health ministries.
• Currently, 194 countries are members of WHO. It has offices in 150 countries as well as six regional offices.
• The headquarters of WHO is in Geneva (Switzerland), and it is here that WHO's annual meeting is held.
• The headquarters of the World Health Organisation office in India is in Delhi.
• WHO started working on April 7, 1948; hence, World Health Day is celebrated every year on April 7.
• Director General – Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Ethiopia)