The National Institute of Health (NIH) has clarified that people in Pakistan are getting sick with a new type of influenza, that causes severe respiratory disease in adults. However, the NIH has rejected the possibility of a new COVID-19 variant JN.1 spreading in the country.

The NIH said that the sub-variants of influenza-A H2 and H3 were spreading across the country affecting people who have reported respiratory problems.

It added that it is not COVID-19 making people sick these days in Pakistan because the COVID-19 positivity rate remained below 1% last week.

The clarification followed a report by BBC Urdu that claimed JN.1 was ‘possibly’ affecting people in the country.

However, government statistics show only 16 people were detected positive for the coronavirus after 3606 tests were conducted.

While JN.1 there is no confirmed case of JN.1 strain, Pakistan will be vaccinating pilgrims leaving for Saudi Arabia later this year.

However, to meet international protocols, Pakistan is preparing to receive at least 500,000 doses of Pfizer’s new COVID-19 vaccine (2023-24 formula) in January 2024.

Globally, over 850,000 cases of the new COVID-19 variant have been reported between November 20 and December 17, according to the World Health Organization.

Influenza which rapidly attacks people with weak immunity systems can be beaten with the use of a mask, but no vaccine has been created to prevent this illness.

Experts suggest avoiding the use of antibiotics after being diagnosed with influenza.