FLiRT COVID variants have made their way to India, with 91 cases of the new Omicron subvariant KP.2 being recorded in Maharashtra. These variants, which are currently spreading rapidly in the US, have become dominant strains in certain regions of India. Cities like Pune, Thane, Amravati, Aurangabad, and others have reported cases of these variants.
Unlike previous single mutants, the FLiRT variants consist of a group of mutants, including KP.2 and KP.1.1. These variants collectively account for a significant portion of COVID cases in the United States, with KP.2 alone responsible for one-fourth of the cases. The FLiRT variants have been named based on the letters derived from their mutations and are direct descendants of the JN.1 variant.
While concerns about another COVID wave triggered by these variants loom large, experts like Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly from the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System remain cautiously optimistic. According to US CDC records, emergency department visits and hospitalizations have decreased in areas where the variants are circulating. However, the rapid spread of these variants, which now represent over a quarter of cases, raises concerns about their potential impact.
The KP.2 variant, a descendant of JN.1, has been found to be more infectious but less infective than its predecessor. Researchers have identified specific mutations in the S protein of KP.2 that contribute to its increased transmissibility. As the situation continues to evolve, monitoring the spread and impact of these FLiRT variants remains crucial to controlling the pandemic.