COVID 19 Sub Variant JN.1 Alarm In Agra: Kerala Man Disappears After Testing COVID Positive

A tourist who arrived in Agra from Thiruvananthapuram has tested positive for Covid 19 at the Agra Cantonment Railway Station, authorities said on Saturday. This has raised fears of the potential presence of the new JN.1 variant in the city. A high alert has been issued in Agra after a 32 year old man from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram went missing after testing positive for COVID 19 on Friday.

This unexpected twist has thrown health officials into a frantic scramble, raising fears of the potential presence of the highly contagious JN.1 sub variant of COVID 19 in the city, just as New Year's festivities loom. Talking about the situation, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Arun Srivastava said, "The sample collected at Agra Cantonment Railway Station for the Rapid Antigen Test showed positive.

Despite efforts to reach the tourist, his phone was initially switched off. Subsequently, contact was established when he reached Rajasthan's Dholpur." This is the first case in eight months since the was last detected in Agra on May 9. The JN.1 variant is the latest mutation of the SARS CoV 2 virus, the causative agent of COVID 19.

It is a subvariant of Omicron COVID variant. Like any other variants of this virus, the JN.1 has also changed its genetic code, especially in the spike protein region, making it more compatible to ditch the vaccine induced immunity. Considering its massive spread across the countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified this variant as a Variant of Interest (VOI).

A VOI usually points to certain genetic markers that are connected to changes in how the virus binds to receptors. As per experts, an individual who is infected with the may experience a range of signs and symptoms, which can vary in severity. Some of the common symptoms of this variant are fever, cough, fatigue, throat pain, headache, runny nose, and loose motion.

However, it's important to note that some of these symptoms of the JN.1 variant may overlap with those of the COVID 19 variants. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's vital to isolate yourself immediately and get tested for COVID 19. Following quarantine protocols and cooperating with health officials are essential to curb the spread of the virus and protect yourself and your community.

Some of the other measures that you can take to stay safe are: Stay alert, stay safe!.