Experts warn that the JN.1 variant of COVID-19 is becoming a dominant strain, causing a surge of infections in Australia and other parts of the world. JN.1 emerged from the Omicron variant BA.2.86 and is classified as a 'variant of interest' by the World Health Organization.
Almost four years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the JN.1 variant is driving a surge of infections in parts of Australia — and around the world. Last December, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified JN.1 as a 'variant of interest'. Now, experts say it's starting to become a dominant strain, with NSW and Victoria recording a recent spike in cases and hospitalisations.
Other states have recorded more gradual waves as a result of the sub-variant, with Western Australia reporting fewer cases in the lead-up to Christmas and Queensland seeing a prolonged and sustained surge in cases since October 2023. As the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, continues to change and mutate, new variants emerge that find ways to better evade our immune system. So, how protected are we? JN.1 emerged from the Omicron variant BA.2.86, known as Pirola, which made waves when first discovered in July 2023, according to Professor Adrian Esterman, an epidemiologist from the University of South Australia. 'It was so different to the other Omicron sub-variants,' he told SBS News
COVID-19 JN.1 Variant Infections Surge Australia Omicron Variant World Health Organization
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