Growing instances of Covid-19 variants are cause for alarm

KARACHI: Concerns have been raised by the city’s officials after they discovered the JN.1 Covid-19 version in three more international travelers.

Three of the many travelers—all from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—received positive findings from rapid antigen tests at Jinnah International Airport.

Three patients are identified: a male from North Waziristan, age 22, a resident of Mohmand Agency, age 22, and a visitor from Naseerabad, age 21. The patient landed in Karachi from Jeddah. Tests carried out at the Aga Khan Laboratory have verified that with the addition of these new cases, the total number of JN.1 variant cases in Karachi has reached five.

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The JN.1 variety is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant and is notably common in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classed it as a variant of interest. Despite being extremely contagious, experts believe that the variation mostly affects the upper respiratory system and causes moderate symptoms akin to the common cold.

As a result of a possible JN.1 variant case in Hyderabad, the district health officer (DHO) has ordered government hospitals to open emergency rooms. To handle possible cases of the new variety, government hospitals in Hyderabad would be assigned a 5-bed emergency ward.

Two travelers at Karachi airport tested positive for the JN.1 variety, an Omicron sub-variant, earlier this week, according to the Sindh health department. After returning from Bangkok, the affected person, Munawar, is being sequestered at his Qasimabad home as he awaits test results.

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To stop the spread of the JN.1 variety, health officials encourage the public to follow preventive measures like mask wearing, social distancing, and good cleanliness. The WHO’s designation of the variation is highlighted in an advise from the National Institute of Health (NIH) to provinces, which also urges them to be ready for any obstacles that may arise in the next few weeks.