FLiRT COVID-19 Variants in India: The new COVID-19 variant, FLiRT, has been reported in India now. Till now, India has reported 250 COVID-19 cases and most of the cases are being attributed to KP.2 and KP1.1 —- which are descendants of the Omicron JN.1.
FLiRT variants have caused a surge in COVID-19 infection in the United States, United Kingdom, and South Korea. According to experts, FLiRT variants can evade immunity from vaccines and previous infections.
Dr Tushar Tayal, Lead Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram maintains that cases of the new Covid-19 Omicron subvariant KP.2 have been detected in Maharashtra.
“This variant has replaced the previously circulating JN.1 variant and is now driving cases in several countries. it is a group of mutants, collectively named as FLiRT. KP.2 and KP.1.1 are among the variants and currently, they are responsible for one-fourth of COVID cases in the United States. They have been named FLiRT based on the letters derived from their mutations. FLiRT variants are direct descendants of JN.1,” Dr. Tayal told Financial Express.com.
He also informed that current laboratory data indicates that while KP.2 may be the most predominant variant and is slightly more infectious than JN.1 variant.
“…presently it is not causing a massive increase in the number of infections or severity,” he said.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that there are currently no indicators suggesting that KP.2 would cause more severe illness than other strains.
According to Dr M Wali, Senior Consultant, Department of Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, the lineage has been modified and identified recently in those who have decreased immunity after booster, especially after MRNA vaccines.
“…It is a mix of KP.2 and JN.1 variants contain several mutations that are associated with the immune escape from vaccine-mediated immune protection. Preliminary research suggests that the relative effective reproduction number of KP.2 maybe 1.22 times higher than the JN.1. Apart from these technicalities India need not worry because our immunity is acquired and so far no new vaccine has been recommended,” Dr. Wali told Financial Express.com.
What are the symptoms of FLiRT variants?
The symptoms of FLiRT variants include:
- sore throat
- runny nose
- coughing
- head and body aches
- fever
- congestion
- fatigue
- shortness of breath, in severe cases
“The symptoms of FLiRT variants are similar to that of JN.1. Many individuals might also have symptoms like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting,” Dr. Tayal told Financial Express.com.
