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A new "evasive" form of the coronavirus has been found, and the mystery strain is already in the United Kingdom.
The mysterious new strain, named as JN.1 by a medical journal, is already making its way through most of the western world, including the UK, Iceland and the United States. Experts believe a rapid spread is already occurring in France.
The professor who discovered the new variant, Thomas Russo, has warned the virus is 'more transmissible' than other variants already circulating in several countries. JN.1 is believed to be a descendant of the Pirola strain, which came from the Omicron variant.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson asked if blowing 'special hairdryer' up your nose would kill Covid
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It is believed the new find could be more transmissible than previous forms of coronavirus, The Mirror reported. The UK Health Security Agency is currently warning people to 'get winter strong' ahead of an expectedly harsh period.
Professor Thomas Russo, speaking on the new virus, said: "There is some data that suggest JN.1’s parent BA.2.86 may be more transmissible than previous variants. Since JN.1 is a derivative of BA.2.86, there is a concern that it may be more transmissible.
"The updated vaccine is closer to JN.1 than our old vaccine, the hope is that, even if we see more cases with JN.1, the updated vaccine will protect against severe disease."
Johns Hopkins University Centre for Health Security in Baltimore representative Amesh Adalja has said the variant is 'very rare' and its mutations are 'somewhat immune evasive'.
Speaking to medpage, they said: "It's not something that has spread very vastly or deeply. It's a very rare variant and an offshoot of BA.2.86, and it has those mutations that were characteristic of BA.2.86 that are somewhat immune evasive, but BA.2.86 was never really able to take off.
"This is what respiratory viruses do, they continue to evolve," he added. It comes as UKHSA representative Dr. Mary Ramsay warns of 'severe illness' potential from the still-circulating Coronavirus.
She said: "Nobody wants to miss out on the festive celebrations with their friends and family this winter and the vaccines provide the best protection. I urge all those eligible to join the millions of others who have taken up their free vaccine offer to get winter strong. Don't put it off, book your appointment today and arm yourself against the risk of severe illness."
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- Coronavirus
- Science
- United States
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