In response to the resurgence of Covid-19 cases in certain states and the identification of the JN.1 sub-variant of Omicron in Kerala, the Union Health Ministry issued an advisory on Monday. Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant stressed the importance of sustained vigilance and collaboration between the Centre and State Governments. Despite successful efforts in maintaining low infection rates, Pant urged ongoing momentum to address public health challenges. With 1,828 new Covid cases reported in India, Kerala accounted for the highest at 1,634. Ahead of the upcoming festive season, states were advised to implement necessary public health measures, emphasizing respiratory hygiene. The advisory urged adequate testing, district-wise monitoring of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) & Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases, and increased RT-PCR tests for timely detection of new variants, including JN.1, a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant with immune-evasion properties. The World Health Organisation has called for robust surveillance and sequence sharing as global cases rise.
Key Points:
1. The Union Health Ministry issued an advisory to states regarding a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases and the detection of the JN.1 sub-variant of Omicron in Kerala.
2. Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant stressed the need for constant vigilance in managing the evolving Covid-19 situation.
3. Despite collaborative efforts, Pant emphasized the importance of sustained momentum to effectively address public health challenges.
4. India recorded 1,828 Covid-19 cases, with Kerala reporting the highest number at 1,634.
5. Ahead of the festive season, states were advised to implement necessary public health measures to minimize the risk of increased disease transmission.
6. The Health Ministry recommended adequate testing in all districts, adherence to respiratory hygiene, and monitoring of
Influenza-like Illness (ILI) & Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases.
7. States were encouraged to increase RT-PCR tests, send positive samples for genome sequencing, and report data on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal.
8. The newly detected JN.1 sub-variant is part of the BA.2.86 Omicron lineage, with an additional spike mutation (L455S) known for immune-evasion properties.
9. The World Health Organisation (WHO) called for strong surveillance and sequence sharing globally, as cases rise, with XBB sublineages and variants like JN.1 comprising 68% of current Covid cases.
10. Ongoing vigilance, testing, and genomic sequencing are crucial elements in the fight against Covid-19, especially with the emergence of new variants.
(With Agency Inputs)
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