<
https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/new-covid-variant-taking-off-like-a-rocket>
"A new and highly transmissible COVID variant known as JN.1 is spreading
throughout the community, sending infection rates soaring in NSW, Victoria and
Queensland, while other states and territories are also reporting signs of
increased transmission.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reported that JN.1, a descendent
of Omicron subvariant BA.2.86, is rapidly spreading across the globe. However,
while the WHO says JN.1 is more infectious than previous variants, at this
stage it is not associated with increased disease severity.
Speaking with
newsGP, University of South Australia biostatistician and
epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman explained how the variant has
developed immune-evading capabilities.
‘It is a direct ancestor of BA.2.86 … which was so different from previous
Omicron subvariants, but it didn’t take off,’ he said.
‘Numbers did start increasing, but not as rapidly as one would have expected.
‘Then we had this slight change to the spike protein that’s actually given it a
much better ability to evade our immune system – and now JN.1 is taking off
like a rocket.’
With other variants still active in the community, Professor Esterman describes
the current situation as a ‘double whammy’ but says GPs are well placed to
protect vulnerable patients and that the available vaccinations and antivirals
still provide good protection against JN.1.
‘Many GPs are careful and mask up, but I think it really should be made
mandatory, and in acute care settings as well,’ Professor Esterman said.
‘While we’re still in the pandemic, and we are still in the pandemic, I think
it should be part of normal practice – these new subvariants are so
transmissible and we’ve got RSV and the other respiratory infections around as
well.’"
Via Violet Blue’s
Pandemic Roundup: January 11, 2024
https://www.patreon.com/posts/pandemic-roundup-96291169
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
