COVID-19 Variant FLiRT: A group of variants of COVID-19 has become a cause of concern in the United States. The variants are derived from the JN.1 lineage of the Omicron variant.
According to media reports, these FLiRT variants, which include KP.2, are marked by mutations identified by the letters F, L, R, and T in their genetic codes.
The latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that the KP.2 variant has been found in approximately 25 percent of the newly sequenced cases in the second half of April this year. Meanwhile, there no spread has been reported by other variants like KP.1.1.
A recent preprint study posted to the bioRxiv server has analysed the virological characteristics FLiRT variant KP.2. According to the study the variant has “demonstrated increased transmissibility and immune resistance.”
Dr Atul Gogia Senior Consultant and Head Infectious Diseases Sir Ganga Ram Hospital told Financial Express.com flirt Covid is a new variant of Covid which is currently doing the rounds in USA it is a lineage of the Omicron variant and supposed causes symptoms of fever , cough sore throat muscle soreness and weakness.
“There are no reports as of now to say that it is a severe form but watch needs to maintained whenever a new variant is around. With travel open now no let is free from an infection so any country/ population can be affected so awareness and precautions need to be maintained especially for the immunocompromised so that severe infection which may occur in them can be avoided,” Dr. Gogia said.
“The study revealed that the KP.2 variant, a descendant of the JN.1 lineage, demonstrates significantly enhanced epidemiological fitness compared to its predecessors, including the dominant XBB lineage…The spread of KP.2 has been rapid, with its variant frequency reaching 20% in the United Kingdom as of early April 2024, suggesting a potential to become the predominant lineage globally,” it stated. The study has not yet been peer-reviewed.
JN.1 is still responsible for 95 percent of COVID cases in the United States. According to a report by WebMD, in recent years, COVID-19 waves have also fallen into a predictable rhythm, with a large winter wave and a smaller mid- to late-summer peak.
What is the status now?
As of April 30, 2024, the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant JN.1 has high prevalence in the United States, with JN.1 and its subvariants making up nearly all illnesses in the United States, CDC data reveals.
“CDC Nowcast projections estimate a quickly emerging Omicron JN.1 descendant, KP.2 (also called JN.1.11.1.2), to account for approximately 25% of new COVID-19 illnesses in the US. The proportion of illnesses caused by KP.2 is rapidly increasing, from 3.9% estimated during the week of March 30 to 24.9% estimated during the week of April 27, 2024,” the US health agency said.
Another study from researchers in Japan, which was posted online before being peer-reviewed, found that KP.2 is less infectious than JN.1.
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended basing future vaccine formulations on the JN.1 lineage, since it seems the virus will continue to evolve from that variant. It is noteworthy that most recent booster was based on an older strain, XBB.1.5.
“There is a new news about the new variant called as the flirt variant. Going around right now regarding COVID-19 slight variant is actually being referred to newer sub variants, which has arisen from the last gen one variant only, and are right now being seen causing infection in America,” Dr Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant, Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals told Financial Express.com.
Though it might be a new state, but right now, most of the symptoms are similar to last gen one variant in terms of only flu like symptoms like cough, runny nose fever, and most of these symptoms are mild, he said.
“And due to the same we might see a few number of cases increasing, but dangerous wear is unlikely for the time being, but since a new parent is upcoming, so we have to be cautious and observe. How would it behave,” he added.
How to stay safe from new COVID-19 variants?
Although the virus continues to evolve, health experts continue to maintain that vaccination, timely testing, masking and avoiding crowded indoor areas are crucial preventive measures.
