Cambodian Health Ministry warns of rising Covid-19 subvariant JN.1 cases
Cambodia’s Ministry of Health is calling for increased public vigilance as the COVID-19 subvariant JN.1 spreads rapidly worldwide. First detected in August 2023, JN.1 now accounts for over 15% of global cases and is labeled a variant of interest by the World Health Organization due to its high transmissibility and ability to evade immune responses.
Although JN.1 does not cause more severe illness than earlier Omicron strains, it spreads faster and bypasses immunity more effectively, thanks to spike protein mutations. Symptoms remain similar to other variants, including fever, dry cough, sore throat, fatigue, runny nose, and vomiting. Recovery typically takes a few days to a few weeks with proper care.
Related: Malaysia closes the book on Covid-19 tomorrow
Sporadic JN.1 cases continue to surface in Cambodia. With the rainy season approaching—a period linked to increased respiratory infections—the Ministry urges the public to maintain strict hygiene and preventive measures. This includes frequent handwashing with soap or sanitizer, wearing masks in crowded places, covering coughs and sneezes properly, safely discarding tissues, avoiding public spitting, and keeping distance from those showing flu-like symptoms.
Related: Is Covid-19 causing skin diseases?
Vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic conditions, and people with weakened immune systems, are advised to follow health guidelines closely.
The Ministry also stresses that COVID-19 vaccination remains key to boosting immunity and preventing future outbreaks.
Category: Health alert
