04 December 2023 , 13:35
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A new variant of the Pirola strain of Covid could prompt a spike in cases of the virus over Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year because of its specific mutation, scientists have warned.
The new strain is known as JN.1 and first appeared in Luxembourg before it moved to the US, UK, France and other countries. Although the variant has been in Britain since August, it could prove more infectious than ever because of its mutation and the increased social contact that takes place as friends and families meet for the festive period. Researchers say it is a sub-lineage of the BA.2.86 Omicron variant, which has one mutation in its spike protein that dictates how easily it can infect cells.
Positive Covid infections could shoot up over Christmas, experts have warned (Soeren Stache/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)Professor of innate immunity at the University of Cambridge, Clare Bryant, said the various mutations in JN.1 were "interesting" and contained some unseen since the Alpha and Beta variants in 2020 and 2021. She explained that although there isn't enough data to confirm anything yet, the changes could mean JN.1 evades immune systems more easily and replicates faster.
The expert told Sky News: "The change in the spike protein will probably correlate to it being more infectious. And that's what's caused us the most problems so far – because you can't control something that's that infectious."
Professor Sheena Cruickshank, immunologist at the University of Manchester, added that the new strain could take longer to recover from or cause more severe disease. She said: "One of the mutations JN.1 seems to have is the potential to help it better latch onto cells, making it better at infecting us. That coupled with immune evasion mechanisms mean it may be tricky for our immune systems to get rid of."
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