The Ministry of Health and Population in Egypt has issued a circular to the directorates of health affairs with guidelines for diagnosing the new COVID variant JN.1. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently listed JN.1 as a “variant of interest”.
A source from the ministry has stated that the circular outlines the definition of the new COVID variant, which causes mild symptoms similar to other Omicron variant strains. The symptoms include fever, cough, earache, runny nose, muscle aches, throat congestion, and a cold. Symptoms may vary in duration from person to person, and some may experience loss of smell and taste.
Dr. Hossam Hosny, head of the Scientific Committee for Coronavirus Control at the ministry, has stated that the current treatment protocol for COVID can treat infections caused by the new variant. No cases of the JN.1 variant have been detected in Egypt so far.
According to Dr. Zayed Jamal, a member of Egypt’s Coronavirus Control Committee, precautions have been heightened at airports and ports to screen incoming travelers for symptoms of the new variant. Although most cases of infection with this variant are mild, it is better to avoid participating in gatherings if you are sick. The expected public-health risk posed by JN.1 is similar to that of the previous Omicron variant.
Jamal stressed that all departments of the ministry are prepared for any emergencies, and the Health Ministry and the WHO are coordinating at the highest levels to keep abreast of the situation.
