Be on guard

There is a new COVID variant, classified by the Geneva-based World Health Organization as a variant of interest due to its “rapidly increasing spread.”

“WHO is classifying the variant JN.1 as a separate variant of interest from the parent lineage BA.2.86 (which) was previously classified as VOI as part of BA.2.86 sublineages,” WHO said in a media advisory.

“Based on available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low,” it added.

Based on available evidence, WHO said JN.1 poses a low global health risk – which is heartening – and added current vaccines still serve as protection against severe disease and death from JN.1 and other variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Another backrest for relief is the assurance by the Department of Health that existing vaccines against COVID-19 remain effective against JN.1.

Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag said in an interview: “We have yet to receive evidence the vaccines we receive, even the new vaccines available in other countries, do not offer protection.”

Tayag’s statement chased the DOH report that it recorded 18 cases of JN.1 in the Philippines – all of which have since recovered.

Tayag was careful and said the DOH remains on guard against the subvariant because JN.1 has been declared a variant of interest by the WHO.

Aside from this, cases of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and common childhood pneumonia are on the rise.

WHO itself continues to monitor evidence, and said it will update the risk evaluation of JN.1 as needed.

It has appealed to the public to practice measures to avoid infection and illnesses.

These should help protect the population: wearing a mask in crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated areas; keep a safe distance from others, as feasible; improve ventilation; practice respiratory etiquette — covering coughs and sneezes; clean your hands regularly; stay up to date with vaccinations against COVID-19 and influenza, especially if you are at high risk for severe disease; stay home if you are sick; and get tested if you have symptoms, or if you might have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or influenza.

Tayag advised the public to still get vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19, and continue practicing health protocols like hand washing and social distancing.

We understand symptoms of JN.1 infection do not differ from those of flu-like illnesses, which include coughs, fever and sore throat that usually last from three to five days.

At this point experts admit it’s hard to differentiate JN.1 from other influenza-like illness symptoms.

We would rather err on the side of caution than have regrets later.

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