Q. The terms "JN.1" and "Pirola", that were recently making news, are related to which of the following?
Answer:
Covid-19
Notes: Indian authorities have confirmed the presence of JN.1, a new sub-variant of the Covid-19 virus, in a patient from Kerala. Designated as a genotype of the Omicron variant, the JN.1 sub-variant is closely related to the BA.2.86 strain, also called Pirola. JN.1 was initially identified in January 2023 based on genomic surveillance data from the USA and China. Health officials have emphasized the need for continued vigil and strict surveillance in light of the new variant from a variant-prone virus. Its emergence highlights how the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to evolve into new sub-variants through constant mutations.