The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified a new set of COVID-19 variants known as FLiRT through wastewater surveillance. From April 14 to April 27, the KP.2 variant emerged as the dominant strain in the United States, accounting for roughly 25% of cases. This variant has surpassed the JN.1 variant, which was previously the most prevalent strain during the winter months and constituted 22% of cases in the same two-week period. Additionally, the KP.1.1 variant, another member of the FLiRT group, represented about 7.5% of COVID-19 cases during this time. This shift indicates a significant change in the landscape of COVID-19 variants in the U.S., with KP.2 taking the lead over JN.1 and other variants. The CDC’s data highlights the ongoing evolution and spread of new COVID-19 variants, underscoring the importance of continued surveillance and adaptation in public health responses to manage the pandemic effectively. These findings reflect the dynamic nature of the virus and the critical need for vigilance in tracking and responding to emerging variants to mitigate their impact on public health.
The new COVID-19 variant known as FLiRT has become the dominant strain in the United States, raising concerns about the possibility of a summer surge in cases. Megan L. Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health, highlighted in an interview with WebMD that the FLiRT variant exhibits worrisome characteristics, including modifications in the spike protein. These alterations can enhance the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect individuals and cause illness.
Adding to the concern is the current state of vaccination coverage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of September 2023, only 22.6% of adults have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2023-24 season. Vaccination rates do increase with age, with the highest coverage observed among adults aged 75 and older. However, this leaves a significant portion of the population with potentially waning immunity.
Thomas A. Russo, chief of infectious disease at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo, emphasised to WebMD the risks associated with this decline in immunity. He pointed out that a population with diminishing immunity levels is more vulnerable to new waves of infection, especially with the emergence of a variant like FLiRT that may have enhanced capabilities to spread and cause disease.
Given these factors, the combination of a dominant new variant with concerning properties and a population with decreasing immunity could indeed lead to an increased risk of a COVID-19 surge during the summer months. Public health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and stress the importance of vaccination and booster shots to help mitigate this risk.
On Wednesday, the CDC announced that it is monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 variants KP.2 and KP.1.1, collectively referred to as ‘FLiRT.’ The agency aims to understand their potential impact on public health better. Currently, KP.2 is the most prevalent variant in the United States. However, despite its dominance, overall SARS-CoV-2 transmission remains low. This means that while KP.2 accounts for a significant proportion of existing cases, it is not leading to a rise in overall infections due to the currently low levels of virus transmission. The CDC continues to track these variants closely to assess any changes in their impact on public health.
Symptoms of COVID ‘FLiRT’ Variant
The CDC has reported that there are “no current indicators” suggesting that the KP.2 variant causes more severe illness than other COVID-19 strains. The agency will continue to monitor the community transmission of this variant and evaluate how well vaccines protect against it.
The ‘FLiRT’ variant, which includes KP.2, presents symptoms similar to those seen with the JN.1 variant. These symptoms include:
– Fever or chills
– Cough
– Sore throat
– Congestion or runny nose
– Headache
– Muscle aches
– Difficulty breathing
– Fatigue
– New loss of taste or smell
– “Brain fog” (a feeling of reduced alertness and awareness)
– Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as upset stomach, mild diarrhoea, and vomiting)
The CDC notes that this list is not exhaustive, as symptoms can evolve with new variants and may vary between individuals. Generally, COVID-19 symptoms range widely in severity, from mild to severe illness, and can appear between two to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
Overall, the CDC continues to monitor these developments closely to ensure appropriate public health responses. They emphasize the importance of vigilance as symptoms and the impact of the virus can change with new variants, and individual experiences with the illness can vary significantly.
