New COVID-19 JN.1 variant spreads fast in Asia: Should you be worried?

A new wave of COVID-19 is spreading across parts of Asia, raising concerns among health officials worldwide. Countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Thailand have reported a noticeable rise in new cases. This surge is linked to the spread of new Omicron subvariants, especially JN.1 and its related types. Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation.

In Singapore, the number of infections jumped sharply to over 14,000 in early May 2025, up from 11,100 cases in the last week of April. Hospital admissions have increased, but intensive care unit (ICU) cases have slightly declined. Officials say there is no proof that the current variants spread faster or cause more severe illness than previous ones.

Experts believe this rise in cases partly results from fading immunity over time. They expect periodic waves of infection to continue. Right now, the main variants in circulation are LF.7 and NB.1.8, both descended from JN.1. These two variants make up more than two-thirds of the cases sequenced so far.

Meanwhile, India has not seen a big rise in cases. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports only 93 active COVID-19 cases in the country as of May 19, 2025. In Mumbai, some doctors have noticed a slight increase in mild cases, mainly among younger people, but health officials say there is no sign of a new wave. They advise people to stay alert, especially since neighbouring countries are seeing more infections.

What is JN.1?

JN.1 is a descendant of the Omicron BA.2.86 lineage, first detected in August 2023. The World Health Organisation (WHO) called it a Variant of Interest in December 2023. This variant carries about 30 mutations, more than any other known variant at that time, aimed at avoiding the immune system. Despite this, BA.2.86 did not become the dominant strain in 2023.

JN.1 developed from BA.2.86 and gained one or two new mutations that help it spread more easily. It keeps the immune-evading features of its predecessor but transmits more effectively. Johns Hopkins University, a trusted source for COVID-19 data, says JN.1 is now the most common variant in many regions worldwide.

During the 12th epidemiological week of 2025, JN.1 made up:

• 93.9% of cases in the Western Pacific region,

• 85.7% in South East Asia,

• 94.7% in Europe,

• 93.2% in the Americas.

Do current vaccines work against JN.1?

Studies show that JN.1 is harder for the immune system to fight. Vaccinated or previously infected people have fewer antibodies that can neutralise JN.1 compared to older variants. This means JN.1 can partly evade existing immune defenses.

The XBB.1.5 monovalent booster, designed to target the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant, helps increase protection against JN.1. The World Health Organisation reports that this booster raises antibody levels, with 19% to 49% effectiveness in preventing symptoms caused by JN.1, based on U.S. research.

Several XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccines are available worldwide. These include:

• Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty and Moderna’s Spikevax (both mRNA vaccines approved in the US, EU, Canada, Australia, and others),

• Novavax’s Nuvaxovid (a protein subunit vaccine approved in the EU),

• Zapomeran (Kostaive), a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine approved in Japan and the EU.

As of May 2025, India offers the Covovax XBB.1.5 monovalent booster. It is the only COVID-19 vaccine updated specifically for the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant.

Symptoms of JN.1

Symptoms of JN.1 are mostly the same as other COVID-19 variants. They include:

• Sore throat,

• Fever,

• Runny or blocked nose,

• Dry cough,

• Fatigue,

• Headache,

• Loss of taste or smell,

• Muscle pain,

• Conjunctivitis,

• Diarrhea,

• Vomiting.

Some people experience stronger fatigue and exhaustion. Shortness of breath is a serious symptom that requires immediate medical help.

Health officials urge people to stay cautious, keep up with vaccinations, and watch for symptoms, especially as new variants continue to appear in the region.

How dangerous is it?

JN.1 spreads faster than earlier COVID-19 variants, but it does not cause more severe illness. Most people infected with JN.1 experience mild to moderate symptoms, such as sore throat, fever, and cough.

Serious cases remain rare, and hospitalisations have not increased significantly. Death rates are lower compared to previous COVID-19 waves, which shows the variant is less dangerous overall.

Vaccines and boosters still provide good protection against severe illness. Staying up to date with vaccinations helps reduce your risk and keeps the virus from spreading widely.

Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.

Keep Reading

Madhya Pradesh sees 66 forest fires daily; AI tracks, action still lags 

Indore’s Ramsar site Sirpur has an STP constructed almost on the lake 

Indore Reviving Historic Lakes to Combat Water Crisis, Hurdles Remain

Indore’s residential society saves Rs 5 lakh a month, through rainwater harvesting

Follow Ground Report on X, Instagram and Facebook for environmental and underreported stories from the margins. Give us feedback on our email id [email protected]. 

Don't forget to Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Join our community on WhatsApp, and Follow our YouTube Channel for video stories.