The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that the virus responsible for COVID-19 has undergone another mutation, resulting in the emergence of variants known as FLiRT.
According to the CDC, the FLiRT variant called KP.2 accounted for approximately 25% of new COVID-19 cases between April 14 and April 27. These variants have been detected in wastewater sampling, indicating their presence in the community.
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The KP.2 variant has surpassed the previously dominant JN.1 strain, constituting around 28% of cases, as reported by the CDC.
Dr. Megan Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health, expressed her concerns about the FLiRT variants in a conversation with WebMD. She highlighted that these variants exhibit certain worrisome changes, particularly in the virus’ spike protein. This protein is crucial for the virus to invade the body and cause illness.
Experts are expressing concern over the decline in vaccination rates among Americans, as indicated by recent data. According to the CDC, as of September 2023, only 22.6% of Americans have received the updated 2023-2024 COVID vaccine.
There is a possibility that individuals who have received the most recent COVID-19 vaccine may not have sufficient protection against the JN.1 or FLiRT variants. A recent preprint study conducted by Harvard University researchers suggests that the effectiveness of the vaccine may diminish against these strains. It is important to note that this study has not undergone peer review yet.
According to Dr. Thomas Russo, chief of infectious disease at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo, our population has a decreasing immunity, making us more vulnerable to a potential wave.
People infected with the FLiRT variant are experiencing similar symptoms to those seen with JN.1, such as:
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- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- New loss of taste or smell
- “Brain fog” (feeling less wakeful and aware)
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (upset stomach, mild diarrhea, vomiting)
The CDC emphasized that individuals may experience different symptoms with varying severity due to the nature of COVID-19 illness. It is important to note that not everyone will exhibit all of these symptoms.
