Minister of Health Ramesh Pathirana has assured that the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation concerning the emergence of the new Covid variant JN.1 reported from India.

Addressing a press conference at the Presidential Media Center on Tuesday (Jan 02), the minister said as of now, no cases have been reported from the sample tests conducted. 

Despite this, the minister urged the public to adhere to the health practices established during the previous Covid season.

Furthermore, Minister Pathirana announced that preparations have been finalized for a vaccination program aimed at controlling the resurgence of the measles disease across the country. 

Announcing that the program is scheduled to commence next week, he said it will be administered through the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Offices nationwide.

“Amidst discussions about the new JN.1 Covid strain reported from India, the Ministry of Health reassures the public that, as currently reported by the World Health Organization, there is no undue cause for concern,” he said.

Minister Pathirana further said continuous monitoring is being carried out and with the support of the Medical Research Institute, extensive sample tests have been initiated. 

Stating that to date, no patients with the new Covid variant have been identified, he added that nevertheless, the public is advised to adhere to the health practices followed during the last pandemic season.

The Health Minister further said that the ongoing initiative to provide quality and advanced medicines to the people of Sri Lanka under the free health service is being consistently implemented. 

“The country experienced a shortage of certain medicines due to the economic downturn after the Covid crisis. However, with the steady improvement of the country’s financial situation, the government has expedited the procurement process to obtain essential medicines.

“To enhance transparency in the procurement of medicines for hospitals, preparations are underway to digitize procurement activities. Expert advice is being sought from the computer science departments of the University of Colombo and the University of Moratuwa. This digitization effort is expected to streamline future procurement activities,” he said.

The Health Minister further said President Ranil Wickremesinghe has allocated the necessary funds in this year’s budget to improve the quality control laboratory of the NMRA, adding that structural changes in capacity and human resources are anticipated this year.

“Identification of 850 types of essential medicines required for the country has been completed. These medicines cover a wide range, including those vital for saving lives, contact lenses, surgical equipment for heart patients (including stents), orthopaedic surgery equipment and other medical necessities.

“The alarming number of 50 deaths from dengue disease last year underscores the need for collective action from society. The government, with the support of the entire community, is implementing an environment-cleaning program involving members of the security forces. Dengue can be controlled by maintaining a clean environment,” he said.

The minister pointed out that although Sri Lanka has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eradicating measles, the Ministry of Health acknowledges around 700 reported cases last year. 

“Certain deficiencies in people’s existing immunity may have contributed to this situation. Starting from the second week of January, arrangements have been made to provide the measles immunization vaccine through all Medical Officers of Health offices nationwide. Parents are urged to ensure their children receive the necessary immunization and if necessary, individuals can receive this vaccine as an additional dose,” he added. (NewsWire)

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The public has been warned to remain vigilant of the spread of the new coronavirus variant, JN.1 which is a sub-variant of Omicron.

Taking to ‘X’, the Director of the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the Sri Jayewardenepura University Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said it is suspected that the virus may already be within the community. 

“In India (Kochi) 30% of all patients with influenza-like illnesses (ILI) who were tested have turned out to be Covid positive in a span of about 24 hours. It was tested and demonstrated that it’s due to JN.1 sub-variant of Omicron,” he said.

Dr. Jeewandara said that Sri Lanka’s health system is not at risk as they have successfully managed previous waves and the country is prepared if there is an increase in cases.

He advised the elderly or people with poor immunity due to other Co-morbidities to start masking up, as testing in Sri Lanka is quite low or close to zero. 

“So we don’t know where we stand. But like in the past this JN.1 sub-variant will emerge and it may have already with the observation of increased ILI cases in Sri Lanka. My guess is it’s in the community!!!  If you are in a poorly ventilated, closed, crowded environment, it’s safer to wear a mask,” he added.

Dr. Jeewandara further explained that the symptoms of JN.1 are fever, cough, loss of smell and loss of taste, persistent high fever, breathing difficulties, fatigue, inability to eat and a tendency to vomit, and these can be warning signs as observed in other parts of the world. 

Urging those with symptoms to seek medical advice, he pointed out that vaccines are still working and people may need boosters, especially for those at risk. (NewsWire)

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a “variant of interest”.

Taking to ‘X’, WHO said due to its rapidly increasing spread, it is classifying the variant JN.1 as a separate variant of interest (VOI) from the parent lineage BA.2.86. 

It was previously classified as VOI as part of BA.2.86 sublineages, it clarified.

WHO further said that based on the available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low. 

“Despite this, with the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, JN.1 could increase the burden of respiratory infections in many countries,” it warned.

WHO went on to note that current vaccines continue to protect against severe disease and death from JN.1 and other circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

WHO added that it is continuously monitoring the evidence and will update the JN.1 risk evaluation as needed. (NewsWire)

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