Karachi authorities detected the JN.1 COVID-19 variant in three more international air travelers, all originating from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Positive results emerged from rapid antigen tests conducted at Jinnah International Airport, confirming cases of the variant in a 21-year-old from Naseerabad, a 22-year-old from North Waziristan, and a 22-year-old from Mohmand Agency, recently arriving in Karachi from Jeddah.
This brings the total JN.1 variant cases in Karachi to five, as confirmed by the Aga Khan Laboratory.
The JN.1 variant, classified as a variant of interest by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant and has been notably prevalent in the United States.
Despite its high transmissibility, experts suggest that it tends to cause mild symptoms similar to a common cold, primarily affecting the upper respiratory tract.
Responding to a suspected case in Hyderabad, the district health officer (DHO) has directed the establishment of emergency wards in government hospitals, allocating a 5-bed emergency ward to address potential cases of the new variant.
Earlier this week, the Sindh health department reported two passengers testing positive for the JN.1 variant at Karachi airport.
One of the affected individuals, Munawar, returned from Bangkok and is currently isolated at his residence in Qasimabad, awaiting test results.
Health authorities emphasize the importance of preventive measures such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and proper sanitation to curb the spread of the JN.1 variant.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued an advisory to provinces, underlining the variant’s classification by WHO and urging preparedness for potential challenges in the coming weeks.
