NIH has rejected the spread of the new COVID-19 variant JN.1 in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) has ruled out the spread of a new COVID-19 variant JN.1 in Pakistan.

Clarifying BBC Urdu reports that JN.1 was ‘possibly’ affecting people in the country, the NIH stated that people in Pakistan are becoming ill with a new type of influenza, which causes severe respiratory disease in adults, and has ruled out the possibility of a new COVID-19 variant JN.1 spreading in the country.

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According to the NIH, influenza-A H2 and H3 sub-variants were spreading across the country, affecting people who had reported respiratory problems.

It also stated that COVID-19 is not causing illness in Pakistan at the moment, as the COVID-19 positivity rate remained below 1% last week.

According to government statistics, only 16 people were found to be positive for the coronavirus after 3606 tests.

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While there has been no confirmed case of JN.1, Pakistan will vaccinate pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia later this year.

However, in order to comply with international protocols, Pakistan plans to receive at least 500,000 doses of Pfizer’s new COVID-19 vaccine (2023-24 formula) in January 2024.

According to the World Health Organization, over 850,000 cases of the new COVID-19 variant were reported globally between November 20 and December 17.

Influenza, which attacks people with weakened immune systems quickly, can be treated with a mask, but no vaccine has been developed to prevent this illness.