A new surge in COVID-19 cases across parts of Asia has been linked to a subvariant of Omicron known as JN.1. The variant is drawing renewed attention as countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand experience fresh waves of infections.
India, as of May 19, 2025, has reported 257 active COVID-19 cases, with the majority coming from the states of Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. Although there is no official confirmation that these cases are specifically due to JN.1, experts emphasize the importance of public awareness about the variant’s characteristics.
JN.1 is a descendant of the Omicron BA.2.86 strain—informally called “Pirola”—which first surfaced in August 2023. This lineage of the virus contains around 30 mutations designed to bypass the body’s immune response, making it more adept at infecting people with prior immunity. JN.1 carries one additional mutation in the spike protein’s receptor-binding domain, which may help it latch onto human cells more effectively and avoid detection by the immune system. Preliminary data suggests this may enhance its ability to spread, although current evidence does not indicate that it causes more severe illness.
The World Health Organization has classified JN.1 as a variant of interest, not yet rising to the level of a variant of concern. In its earlier assessment, the WHO stated, “Based on the available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low.” They also emphasized that “current vaccines continue to protect against severe disease and death from JN.1 and other circulating variants.”
Symptoms of JN.1 remain largely consistent with earlier Omicron subvariants. These include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, nasal congestion, nausea, and diarrhea. So far, most cases have shown mild to moderate symptoms, with no significant uptick in hospitalizations or severe complications.
Health experts continue to recommend key precautions, particularly in regions seeing a rise in cases:
- Vaccination remains a vital line of defense. Staying current with your COVID-19 shots, including boosters, offers protection against severe outcomes.
- Hygiene practices like regular handwashing and sanitizing help minimize the risk of infection.
- Masking is still encouraged in crowded indoor settings or around vulnerable populations.
- Symptom monitoring is essential. Seek testing and isolate if you experience any signs consistent with COVID-19.
- Travel guidelines should be followed, especially if symptoms develop before or during trips.
