Kenyans urged to take precautions after new Covid-19 strain unearthed

Kenyans have been encouraged to take the necessary health precaution following the emergence of the JN.1 Covid-19 strain.

While stating that there was no need for alarm, Health Director General Patrick Amoth indicated that the Health Ministry had put in place robust measures to tackle the strain. 

Speaking to Capital FM News, Amoth however emphasised the need for social distancing and the regular washing of hands.

“There is no need for alarm. This strain has been in Kenya since December, but the systems in place are really robust,” he said.

The JN.1 variant is a descendant of BA.2.86 that has acquired the ability to transmit efficiently through an additional 1 or 2 mutations.

It has the immune evasion of its parent but has now mutated to transmit more efficiently. 

“We are doing passive surveillance from our surveillance sites the numbers so far are not anything to worry about,” he noted.

The DG further noted that the country can handle any health emergency based on the capacity built during the Covid-19 pandemic and the lessons picked then.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said there is no evidence that JN.1 causes more severe disease.

Agencies