A new group of coronavirus variants is circulating in the United States, according to tracking by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This family of variants, now called FLiRT, is now the dominant strain in the U.S. One of the variants, KP.2, accounts for about 25% of all current infections in the U.S. Another FLiRT variant, KP.1.1, accounts for about 7.5%, trailing only three JN strains, one of which, JN.1, remained the dominant strain in the United States until it was overtaken by KP.2. It was.
TODAY reports that the FLiRT variants (KP.2 and KP.1.1) appear to be more contagious, and that current vaccines and immunity from previous infection are thought to provide only partial protection. experts said.
According to the CDC, these changes are to be expected.
“Viruses are constantly changing through mutations, and in some cases these mutations can give rise to new variants of the virus. Some changes and mutations can cause the virus to spread more easily or “Resistance to treatments and vaccines may develop. As the virus spreads, the situation may change and become more difficult to stop,” the agency said on its website.
What are the symptoms of the latest coronavirus variants?
The symptoms appear to be similar to those caused by JN.1, including:
Sore Throat Cough Fatigue Congestion Runny Nose Headache Muscle Pain Fever or Chills New Loss of Taste or Smell Shortness of Breath or Difficulty Breathing Nausea or Vomiting Diarrhea
Patients with COVID-19 report a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, typically appearing 2 to 14 days after infection.
