New COVID variations are in circulation as the COVID-19 cycle continues. The “FLiRT” variations, KP.2 and KP1.1 are descended from the Omicron JN.1, which migrated last winter and dispersed around the world. The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) reports that the downstream variations are associated with new cases and a slight increase in hospitalization in the United States.
A new wave of COVID-19 cases has also been reported in South Korea, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom due to increased FLiRT cases. As of May 6, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) had identified 238 KP.2 cases and 30 KP1.1 cases circulating in India.
The variations exceed both other Omicron variants and their ancestors. It is thought that KP.2, the more prevalent strain of the two, surpasses immunity developed from vaccinations and prior infections. The difference is that cyclical diseases, like COVID-19, arrive in waves, but endemic diseases, like malaria, stay constant in a certain area. The FLiRT versions recast COVID-19 management as a more involved process requiring ongoing monitoring, individualized safety measures, and universal protection for the most vulnerable.
Which FLiRT variations exist?
The JN.1 strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus produced the KP.2 and KP1.1 sublineages, each possessing two extra spike mutations. Because of their technical names—F is changed to L at position 456, and R is changed to T at position 346—they are known as the FLiRT set of variations. The term stands for two distinct mutations that, when present together, give the virus more invasive characteristics. Consider JN.1.11.1.2, also known as KP.2, to be the “great-grandson” of JN.1, designated as a Variant of Interest in December of last year.
KP.2 is said to be more widespread worldwide than the other. As of April 27, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that it is responsible for about 25% of new cases in the country; in the UK, it was responsible for roughly 25% of all COVID-19 cases.
The primary varieties that were in circulation worldwide as of May 2024 are KP.2, JN.1, and KP1.1, in order of prevalence. According to INSACOG, KP.2 has primarily been found in Maharashtra, Odisha, Goa, and West Bengal, KP1.1 in West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, and KP.3 in Uttarakhand. While variants are propagating in other areas, JN.1’s progeny have been found thanks to vigilant tracking in these states. The novel variant presents symptoms resembling those of previous Omicron sub-variants, including sore throat, cough, nausea, congestion, headache, exhaustion, and loss of taste or smell.
Are variations of FLiRT more dangerous than JN.1?
As a result, the variation can jump over the most recently constructed immunity fence. Researchers point out that more study is required to determine the extent to which the novel mutations permanently and profoundly escape the immune system.
In certain aspects, KP.2’s ability to evade the immune system is similar to JN.1’s propensity to contest the efficacy of vaccinations. Despite being “even more efficient at immune evasion (compared to other Omicron variants)”, JN.1 was found to be “unlikely to completely evade T-cell recognition,” according to research provided by the IDSA. Furthermore, higher transmissibility does not guarantee that the novel variations would result in COVID-19 infections that are more severe.
Since early April, scientists in India have also noted a new wave of cases; of those tested, about one in six have turned positive, up from none in March. Experience from India and other countries suggests that vaccinations administered earlier remain helpful in avoiding severe COVID-19 from newer variations, even when vaccination with the most recent SARS-CoV-2 vaccine creates antibodies that recognize JN.1. Health organizations like IDSA have highlighted the importance of adding more recent vaccine variations to the current lineup. Additionally, before starting a fresh vaccination cycle, the European Medicine Agency advised “updating COVID-19 vaccines to target the new variant JN.1.”
