The health ministry reported that SARS-CoV-2 transmission persists, especially the JN.1 mutation, first detected in August 2023.

The World Health Organization currently classified JN.1 as a “virus of concern” due to its rapid spread and biological characteristics, the official statement noted.

As of mid-March 2025, it said, this variant accounted for more than 15 percent of Covid-19 cases detected worldwide.

The Ministry clarified that the symptoms of JN.1 infection do not differ from previous types of Covid-19, including fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, nausea and vomiting, similar to a common cold.

Current global evidence does not indicate that JN.1 causes more severe disease than previous strains, however, it appears to be more transmissible and able to evade the human immune system due to mutations in the spike protein.

Although the global public health risk from JN.1 remains low, the Ministry emphasized the need for continued surveillance, especially for high-risk individuals.

jrr/mem/asg/liz