What Are The Symptoms Of The New Covid Variant FLiRT Dominant In The US? Is India a Concern?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a novel COVID variation called FLiRT is spreading across the US, accounting for around 25% of cases. This variant’s subvariant is KP.2. Is India to be alarmed?

Ninety-one instances of the COVID-19 Omicron subvariant KP.2 have been recorded from Maharashtra. This subvariant has overcome the formerly prevalent JN.1 variant, which is still behind infections in other countries.

Maharashtra’s genome sequencing coordinator, Dr. Rajesh Karyakarte, told the Times of India that the state’s minor increase in cases in March—an average of around 250 infections—was probably caused by the KP.2 variant’s dissemination.

A leading doctor in pulmonology and critical care at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, Dr. Rajesh Chawla, has cautioned that the KP.2 and FLiRT variants are thought to be more contagious than previous Omicron variants.

INDIA’S CASES
March saw a spike in cases, with an average of around 250 detections. This is thought to be related to the KP.2 strain spreading quickly across Maharashtra.

In addition to Pune and Thane, many other districts have also reported incidences of the KP.2 variety. Amravati and Aurangabad both reported seven occurrences, while Solapur recorded two cases.

Moreover, there have been reports of isolated KP.2 variant cases in Ahmednagar, Nashik, Latur, and Sangli. The fact that no cases have been reported from Mumbai is noteworthy and highlights how unevenly this emerging virus has spread across Maharashtra.

Describe the flirtant variant.
KP1.1 and KP.2 are among the mutants in the FLiRT group; their names come from the letters that resulted from their mutations. Variants of FLiRT are descended directly from JN.1.

According to a story by USA Today, Megan L. Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health, expressed worry about some aspects of FLiRT, such as alterations in the spike protein that may facilitate the colonization and subsequent illness of SARS-CoV-2.

Its symptoms, which include fever, coughing, exhaustion, and stomach problems with an increased rate of transmission, are comparable to those of previous variations.

Describe the characteristics of the KP.1 and KP.2 variants.
Japanese researchers have reported that the KP.2 (JN.1.11.1.2) variation has three different substitutions in the S protein (S:R346T, S:F456L), in addition to one more change in a non-S protein.

Although KP.2 is now the most common type in the US, evidence from laboratory tests shows that SARS-CoV-2 transmission is currently at low levels nationwide. This indicates that even though KP.2 is by far the most common type, there isn’t a rise in infections because SARS-CoV-2 transmission isn’t very high, as the CDC stated in the release.

According to CDC statistics, KP.2 cases account for 28% of all COVID cases in the US, whereas KP.1 cases account for only 7.1% of all cases.

A virologist at Columbia University named Dr. David Ho claims that anyone who has received the most recent COVID vaccination may be infected with KP2.

Describe the symptoms.
According to the CDC, there are currently no signs that KP.2 might result in a more serious infection than previous strains. It will keep an eye on how this strain spreads across the population and how well immunizations work against it.

A fever or chills, cough, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, headache, muscle aches, difficulty breathing, fatigue, new loss of taste or smell, brain fog, and gastrointestinal symptoms like an upset stomach, mild diarrhea, and vomiting are among the symptoms that the “FLiRT” variant is said to have in common with the JN.1 strain.

After exposure, symptoms might show up two to fourteen days later. Patients exhibiting these symptoms do not have higher than average hospitalization rates.

Reinfection often presents as a milder or very equivalent condition in those who have already had COVID. Among other things, researchers are still looking at how much recurring infections contribute to prolonged COVID.

Ways to Stay Safe?
Studies reveal that those 60 years of age and older, particularly those with comorbidities such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease, are more susceptible than other age groups to severe and possibly deadly COVID-19 infections.

Experts and physicians recommend that anyone over 65 who has already gotten one dose of the revised vaccination get another injection at least four months later.

People should wear masks in crowded situations, wash their hands often, maintain physical distance, avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, routinely disinfect touched surfaces, remain at home while ill, and be aware of local regulations as preventative measures.

The COVID-19 guidelines were amended by the CDC in March 2024, and as a result, those who test positive for the virus will no longer be advised to stay home alone for five days.