Over 200 cases from India have tested positive for the new FLiRT variant of COVID-19, most of them from cities in Maharashtra. Experts say there may not be a wave yet but the virus is mutating rapidly which is a cause for concern, especially in vulnerable population.
According to the reports, the researchers are still working on the variant to understand the variant in detail and gather more information on the ‘FLiRT’ variant. (Image: Pixabay)
New Delhi: There is a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases globally with the new variant wreaking havoc in parts of the Asian continent, especially Singapore, where health experts are contemplating to make masking and hand hygiene a mandate in the country. In the Indian context, there is a surge in cases which could be due to the new COVID-19 variant called FLiRT. The first cases of this new variant was identified in January and also in April, especially in parts of Maharashtra. The strain was dominant in cities including Pune, Thane, Amravati, Aurangabad, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Nashik, Latur and Sanglione.
As of May 18, India has reported over 200 COVID-19 and experts are attributing most of these to the latest KP.2 and KP1.1 variants. According to epidemiologists, these are sub variants of the Omicron JN.1. Is it a more virulent form of the Omicron variant? Doctors and scientists are of the opinion that the FLiRT variants can indeed evade immunity from vaccines and is considered to be much stronger than the previous variants.
“We are still studying this particular variant and it is too soon in the day to comment on its virulence but this particular strain is capable of evading the vaccines. More information is awaited on hospitalisations and morbidity,” says Dr Sheela Ranganathan from Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi.
Is Delhi witnessing a surge? Dr Ranganathan adds that hospitalisations due to COVID-19 have not been a concern. At least not as of now.
What do we know about this variant so far
The KP.2 is a descendant of the JN.1 variant of the virus, a sub variant of the Omicron lineage with a lot of mutations. The nomenclature (FLiRT) is based on the letters representing two immune escape mutations that allow the virus to evade antibodies.
It is these variants that are a cause of concern for scientists, as they believe that the two mutations are on the rise. “Initial study reveals that such mutations allow the virus to escape antibodies,” agrees Dr Ranganathan. Data uploaded by the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data or GSAID reveal that over the last two months the KP.2 sequences made up about 29 per cent of COVID-19 sequences.
So is FLiRT going to be the new variant of concern for India? Experts are of the opinion that the JN.1 will continue to be the dominant variant of SARS-COV-2 in the country. At present, there are more than 600 active cases of COVID-19, according to Union Health Ministry data, and one death – in Delhi attributed to the disease.
Common symptoms and how you should take care
There are some common symptoms that one must keep a check on.
- Sore throat: As was the case with all other variants of COVID-19, this appears to be the dominant symptom for the disease.
- Body ache: Is almost always accompanied by high fever that was typically seen in the previous COVID-19 cases.
- Fever: Can range from high to low in various age groups.
According to experts, there are still no reference of symptoms which could cause pneumonia or fall in the oxygen level as yet.
“As I have said earlier, we still don’t see the latest mutations do much damage to the upper respiratory tract. Even the morbidity and mortality that is recorded in such cases is very less,” says Dr Ranganathan, dismissing the idea and the possibility of a new wave.
However, as temperatures sore, Dr Ranganathan warns that essential precautions need to be taken to control the further spread of the virus. Masking, hand hygiene and avoiding crowded places is the foremost guideline for all COVID-19 safety protocols. Pregnant ladies, children and people over 60 years of age fall under the vulnerable groups and they need to be extra cautious.
Should we continue taking booster doses? The KP.2 variant is quite similar to the previous Omicron variant, and almost 90 per cent of the Indian population has been immunized for these variants. “Let’s wait and watch how this variant behaves before taking any decision on whether or not to vaccinate again,” Dr Ranganathan says in conclusion.
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