The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that wastewater surveillance has detected a new set of coronavirus variants called FLiRT, according to data from the agency.
From April 28 to May 11, the variant named KP.2 accounted for about 28% of cases in the United States, according to the CDC. As a result, it overtook JN.1 and became the new dominant subspecies in Japan. The JN.1 variant spread around the world over the winter and accounted for about 16% of coronavirus cases in the United States over the same two-week period.
The other circulating FLiRT variant, KP.1.1, accounted for about 7% of COVID-19 cases during that two-week period, according to CDC data.
“CDC is tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants KP.2 and KP.1.1, also known as 'FLiRT,' and is working to better understand their potential impact on public health. ” the department said in a statement emailed to USA TODAY. last week.
“Although KP.2 is currently the predominant variant in the United States, laboratory data indicates that overall levels of SARS-CoV-2 infection are currently low; “While proportionately the most predominant variant, transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is low and is not causing an increase in infections,” the CDC said in a statement.
Since September 2023, only 22.6% of adults reported receiving the most recent 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine, according to the CDC. The data also showed that vaccination rates increased with age and were highest among adults aged 75 and older.
FLiRT variant: There's a new COVID-19 variant called FLiRT: Here's what you need to know about it
What are the variants of “FLiRT”?
According to Dr. Andy Pecosh, FLiRT describes an entire family of different variants, including KP.2, JN.1.7, and other variants starting with KP or JN that appear to have detected the same set of mutations. is the term used for this, said Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in an article posted by the school.
“These are all descendants of the JN.1 variant that has been dominant in the United States for the past few months,” Pekos said in the article. “Viruses like SARS-CoV-2 mutate frequently, and when they mutate to evade recognition by antibodies, they often weaken their ability to bind to the cells they want to infect. They then improve their ability to bind. You can see that there are mutations that cause
Will the number of new coronavirus infections increase sharply in the summer due to the “FLiRT” variant?
Pekos said a summer surge in infections is certainly possible, and that the FLiRT variant would be high on the list of viruses that could cause a new wave of infections in the United States.
“However, the definition of a wave has changed. Although we still see increases and decreases in the number of infections throughout the year, the number of hospitalizations and deaths are much lower than in the first years of the pandemic. ” Pekos said. said in the article.
Pekos also said that although the waves are smaller, they still affect vulnerable populations: the elderly, those with weakened immune systems and those with other secondary medical conditions. He pointed out that there was.
Symptoms of new coronavirus “FLiRT” variant
The CDC says there is “no current indication” that KP.2 causes more severe illness than other strains. The agency said it will continue to monitor community transmission of the virus and the effectiveness of vaccines against this strain.
The 'FLiRT' variant has been reported to have symptoms similar to those of JN.1, including:
Fever or chills Cough Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Headache Muscle pain Difficulty breathing Fatigue New loss of taste or smell “brain fog” (decreased alertness and consciousness) Gastrointestinal symptoms (upset stomach, mild diarrhea, vomiting)
The CDC says the list does not include all possible symptoms, and symptoms can change with new variants and can vary from person to person.
According to the agency, patients infected with the new coronavirus generally exhibit a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure.
The latest coronavirus guidance from the CDC
In March 2024, the CDC updated its COVID-19 guidance to no longer direct people who test positive for the virus to quarantine at home for five days.
Health authorities are introducing new policies that focus on actions people can take to reduce the spread of a variety of common respiratory viruses, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19. announced. These actions include staying home when sick, staying up to date on vaccines, practicing good hygiene, and improving indoor air quality.
According to the CDC, this change marks the first time the agency has revised its coronavirus guidelines since 2021. The CDC said the guidelines are for individuals and employers, not hospitals and nursing homes, which have separate guidelines.
CDC officials said the change is a reasonable approach that is easier for people to understand and in line with circulating respiratory viruses that spread in a similar way and cause similar symptoms.
Contributors: Eduardo Cuevas, Adrianna Rodriguez, Ken Alltucker, Mary Walrath-Holdridge, Mike Snider
Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY's national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@gannett.com.
