COVID Omicron FLiRT subvariants KP.2, KP.3, KP.1.1

“This isn't a surprise. This can happen all the time.” Dr. Edwin MichaelEpidemiologist University of South Florida School of Public Health,tell luck“Mutations will continue to occur.”

of Omicron Variant SARS-CoV-2 is COVID-19It has been circling the globe for nearly three years. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Variants of concern” November 2021. The original Omicron strain is B.1.1.529then from BA.2.74 1.16 …A subvariant called KP.2 is now the dominant strain nationwide, accounting for 29% of cases in the two weeks ending May 25, according to a CDC report. COVID Data Tracker.

KP.2, KP.3 and KP.1.1 are Omicron subspecies of the FLiRT family, but this is not a cutesy moniker: rather, it is the technical name for a pair of spike protein mutations that the subspecies share. Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).

“Apparently, [infectious] “Compared to JN.1, it's more immune evasive,” Michael said. “There seems to be something going on, but we don't know exactly what it is.”

To date, the CDC has not identified any symptoms specific to FLiRT infection. Watch for the following symptoms: Traditional COVID-19 symptoms:

• Stuffy or runny nose
• cough
• diarrhea
• Malaise
• Fever or chills
• headache
• Muscle and body pain
• New loss of taste or smell
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• sore throat

Tyrachard — Getty Images

Do COVID vaccines protect against the FLiRT variant?

KP.2 is JN.1The Omicron variant, which swept across the U.S. through early spring, and its variants have been shown to evade vaccine-induced immune protection, according to IDSA.

of 2023-2024 COVID-19 VaccineThe treatment, recommended by the CDC last fall, was designed to target the omicron sublineage XBB, which was prevalent at the time. of Lancet This suggests that the vaccine may not be as effective against KP.2.

nevertheless, Dr. William Schaffner,Professor Department of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Centerencourages people to keep their COVID-19 vaccinations up to date.

“The vaccines currently available still provide remarkable protection against these new variants,” Schaffner said. luck“This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of developing more severe illness if infected.”

In addition to adults aged 65 and over, people with the following symptoms High risk of severe COVID-19 infection Additional vaccinations may be needed, according to the CDC.

• cancer
• Chronic kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Dementia or other neurological disorders
• Diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2)
• hindrance
• Heart disease
• HIV
• Immunocompromised or weakened
• Mental illness
• Overweight and obesity
• Lack of exercise
• pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
• Smoking (current or past)
• Solid organ or blood stem cell transplantation
• Stroke or cerebrovascular disease
• Substance use disorder
• tuberculosis

of Vaccines planned for 2024-2025 It could potentially be formulated to offer better protection against FLiRT variants, Michael said, adding that people who have already been infected with JN.1 likely have natural cross-immunity to these variants.

“That keeps the bigger waves (of infection) at bay,” Michael said.

Will the FLiRT variant cause a summer COVID surge?

The FLiRT variants have been increasing the number of infections in the United States this spring, Weekly positive test rate It has been declining steadily since January.

Summer is a time of increased travel and gatherings for many people, and there's no need to panic about the FLiRT variants, but continuing to be vigilant about public health habits like washing your hands and wearing a mask around vulnerable people can help keep the virus at bay, Schaffner said.

“COVID-19 is still simmering, even though it is decreasing over time,” Schaffner said. “These new variants remain contagious and continue to cause disease. COVID-19 is not going to go away over the summer like the flu.”

Michael agreed: “The number of cases may increase, but it won't be as high as we saw last summer or the summer before.”

Nationwide Monthly COVID-19 Hospitalization Rate CDC records show a steady decline since December. Weekly mortality rate The numbers have been declining since mid-January. These data suggest that the FLiRT variants cause less severe infections than previous variants, Michael said.

“At this stage, the virus is just trying to survive,” Michael says. “It's not trying to kill you, because that would be the end of it. It's just trying to survive.” [to] Find ways to keep getting the word out.”

For more information on COVID-19:

Subscribe to Well Adjusted, a newsletter from the Fortune Well team filled with simple strategies to work smarter and live better. sign up It's free today.