A new variant of Covid-19 known as KP. 2, or FLiRT, began appearing in the United States in early March of this year. At the time, KP. 2 accounted for only 0. 4% of all sequenced SARS-CoV-2 strains. however, it has spiked in the last two months to the main strain of the virus, accounting for 28. 2% of sequences as of May 11. This dramatic buildup indicates that KP. 2 has households announcing viral transmission and leads experts to wonder if some other Covid-19 waves are on the horizon.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the virus has undergone genetic adjustments (or mutations) as the number of human infections increases. In 2022, the Omicron variant will be the dominant strain, leading to a dramatic increase in cases worldwide. The KP. 2 variant is a descendant of Omicron and has several mutations in the gene that codes for the spike protein, which facilitates the binding of the virus to receptors on a host cell. The spike protein is also the target of antibodies generated in reaction to vaccination opposite to Covid-19.
Several mutations in KP. 2 caused changes in the amino acids of the spike protein (an “F” mutation in “L” and an “R” mutation in “T”), giving the variant family the name FLiRT. These mutations will most likely allow the virus to evade neutralizing antibodies produced in reaction to past infection or vaccination. In a way, it’s as if the virus has disguised itself, allowing the immune system to not identify it.
While it would possibly be too early to be sure, it does not appear that KP. 2, or other members of the FLiRT group of variants, will cause any single symptoms or more significant disease. If symptoms do appear, KP. 2 infection tends to be associated with fever, sore throat, cough, and body aches. Loss of taste or smell may also occur, as well as “mental confusion”, described for earlier variants.
Although FLiRT variants do not appear to cause more severe disease, it is vital to emphasize that as the number of infections increases, so will the likelihood that a vulnerable individual (e. g. , an immunocompromised host) will become inflamed and spread severe symptoms.
A patient uses an immediate antigen kit for Covid-19 at home.
Because KP. 2 and other FLiRT variants have mutations in the gene that codes for the spike protein, existing tests continue to stumble upon those new viruses. Most home antigen tests look for another viral protein, called nucleocapsid protein, and therefore cannot be used. affected by the new variants.
If you use an antigen test at home, it is recommended to perform it as soon as symptoms appear and, if negative, repeat the control in two or three days before ruling out Covid-19. Molecular controls, or PCRs can also detect FLiRT variants. Most PCR tests look for at least two genetic regions of the virus, so even if one part of the test is affected by mutations in the Spike gene, the target of the backup gene stumbles upon the virus.
The KP. 2 variant has several mutations in the spike gene, resulting in the production of a protein that would not possibly be identified through antibodies from a past infection or vaccination. So if it’s been more than six months since your last vaccination or infection, it’s unlikely you’ll be fully protected. Existing antibodies can save you from severe illness, but they can’t save you from infection or the mild to moderate disease that causes it. An updated, faster vaccine for recent circulating strains. , is expected this fall and will most likely be in conjunction with the annual flu vaccination.
As we have observed since 2020, the virus that causes Covid-19 continues to evolve. Although emergency room visits and deaths from Covid-19 have decreased (-5. 2% and -14. 3%, respectively) in recent weeks, the emergence of a new variant may simply adjust the long-term picture. It’s vital to remain vigilant to decrease transmission, adding staying home when you feel sick, getting tested for Covid-19 and other common respiratory viruses (such as the flu), wearing a mask if you have symptoms and want to faint in public, and most importantly, getting an up-to-date Covid-19 vaccine. Taking those steps will reduce the chances of a long-term wave of Covid-19 and help you and others stay safe. and healthy.
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