SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024
Team Herald
A new family of COVID-19 variants, dubbed FLiRT, is making waves across the United States, prompting concerns among health experts. These variants, believed to be descendants of the Omicron lineage and derivatives of the JN.1 variant, have been collectively termed FLiRT to encompass their impact. Each letter, F, L, R, and T, represents a specific variant within this group.
According to reports, among the FLiRT variants, the KP.2 variant is particularly concerning. Data from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that nearly 25 percent of cases reported in the first two weeks of April were attributed to the KP.2 variant.
Despite ongoing research, there is still much to be understood about these variants. Dr. Eric Topol, Executive Vice President at Scripps Research, cautioned that while the KP.2 variant is predominant in the US, it may be premature to gauge its potential threats.
The CDC has reported minimal traces of COVID-19 viruses in US wastewater, signaling a decline compared to the peak in cases observed in January. Globally, while case counts saw a rise from early to mid-April, they remain significantly lower than previous peaks.
Experts speculate that while the KP.2 variant may lead to an increase in cases, it may not result in a significant surge. This is attributed to existing immunity among individuals previously infected with COVID-19 variants and the limited mutations observed in the FLiRT variants compared to earlier strains.
However, a study conducted in Japan and China suggests a potential challenge posed by the FLiRT variants. These variants may possess a greater ability to evade immune protection conferred by vaccines compared to the JN.1 variant, raising concerns about their potential impact on public health.
