A highly mutated COVID-variant is now the fastest-growing strain in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The most recent CDC data shows JN.1 accounts for some 29% of all COVID cases in the U.S., up from just 0.1% at the end of October. Health officials predicts the variant, closely related to BA.2.86, known as Pirola, that’s been tracked since August, will continue to grow in the coming months.

All of the current strains are descendants of Omicron which first started circulating in 2021.

CDC said there is no indication the variant causes more severe illnesses and current vaccines can prevent serious illness from the infection. It is to blame, however, for the uptick in cases, as COVID’s pattern of increasing and peaking in late summer and then again around the new year continues.

In general, symptoms of JN.1 are similar to other COVID strains. According to Today, these are the most common symptoms, with sore throat often coming first, followed by congestion and cough:

• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fever or chills
• Loss of sense of taste or smell

People with COVID symptoms are advised to stay home, get tested and seek treatment. You can see more information on prevention and treatment here.