Four New COVID-19 Variants Are Raising Concerns in the US! Here’s All About Them | Weather.com – The Weather Channel

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The COVID-19 saga is far from over, as recent discoveries of four new sub-variants in the US remind us. While vaccines have significantly reduced case numbers, these new strains pose fresh challenges in our ongoing fight against the virus.

Some of these new strains, while mostly harmless, have begun raising eyebrows among the healthcare community worldwide, with notable outbreaks in the US and the UK. India, too, is witnessing a spike in recorded COVID-19 cases, with Kerala and a concerningly new sub-variant at the centre of the surge.

Keep reading to learn more about the recent sub-variants that have begun making global rounds recently.

Experts reckon that the EG.5, or Eris, may be a descendant of the XBB.1.9.2 Omicron subtype that originated in China earlier this year. Transcending one step further, the HV.1 evolved from the EG.5, sporting additional mutations that make it superior to its predecessor.

While both EG.5 and HV.1 are currently found in nearly half of all COVID-19 cases in the US, experts note that these do not pose a major threat compared to other variants. EG.5 initially peaked at 25% of total record US COVID-19 cases in September, but has since declined to 13% in December.

HV.1, on the other hand, rapidly rose to prominence after emerging in late summer and now accounts for over 30% of cases in the country. New vaccines that counter XBB also appear to work against both these strains.

The situation becomes more worrisome with the remaining two sub-variants: BA.2.86 and JN.1.

BA.2.86, nicknamed Pirola, carries a concerning number of mutations in its spike protein, the key to infecting human cells and evading our immune system. This initially sparked fears that new vaccines might not be effective against it.

Fortunately, newer data has shown that we appear to be exhibiting sufficient antibodies against the BA.2.86, suggesting that existing vaccines should continue to work. So far, the strain has been detected in 38 countries.

The newly emerged JN.1, a child of BA.2.86, adds another layer of complexity. While JN.1 readily evades immune defences, preprint studies show that new vaccines do generate antibodies against it, albeit at lower levels than for other sub-variants. This raises concerns about JN.1's potential to cause breakthrough infections despite vaccination protection.

Notably, the JN.1 sub-variant was recently detected in Kerala for the first time, the latest data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) showed. Experts have noted that this could be a factor behind the states surging COVID-19 cases, but assured that they do not deem it a risk to India yet.

The emergence of these new variants underscores the constant evolution of the COVID-19-causing novel coronavirus. Continued vigilance and monitoring are crucial in staying ahead of the curve. While existing vaccines remain our primary defence, researchers are actively developing updated versions to tackle new threats like JN.1.

Individual precautions like masking, social distancing and staying up-to-date on vaccinations continue to be essential in protecting ourselves and our communities. By staying informed and taking necessary measures, we can navigate this evolving landscape and emerge stronger from the pandemic.

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Four New COVID-19 Variants Are Raising Concerns in the US! Here's All About Them | Weather.com - The Weather Channel