All about FLiRT, the new COVID-19 variants

Subject: Science and tech

Sec: Health

FLiRT variant of COVID-19 virus:

The COVID-19 pandemic witnesses new developments with the emergence of the FLiRT variants, specifically KP.2 and KP1.1, which are descendants of the Omicron JN.1 variant.
These new variants have been detected in significant numbers across various countries, including the U.S., U.K., South Korea, New Zealand, and India.
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) reported 238 cases of KP.2 and 30 cases of KP1.1 in India as of early May.
Naming: They are nicknamed the FLiRT group of variants (labelled so because of their technical names, F being replaced by L at position 456, and R supplanted by T at position 346).

Increased Immune Evasion:

The KP.2 variant, which is more prevalent among the two, shows a heightened ability to evade immunity provided by vaccines and previous infections.
This variant has mutations that enhance its transmissibility and immune escape capabilities, making it a public health concern.
KP.2 can overcome immunity from both the latest vaccines and prior infections, including those from its ancestor JN.1.

Current COVID-19 Wave and Management:

There is a noted increase in COVID-19 cases in regions like Maharashtra, Odisha, Goa, and West Bengal, largely attributed to the spread of these new variants.
The symptoms remain similar to previous Omicron subvariants, including sore throat, cough, and fatigue.
Despite the rise in cases, the overall severity of the disease has not shown a significant increase, suggesting that while the variants are more transmissible, they may not necessarily lead to more severe illness.
Health authorities, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the European Medicine Agency, emphasize the need to update COVID-19 vaccines to include coverage against these new variants.
Health experts suggest that COVID-19 might shift from being a pandemic to a cyclical disease, presenting recurring waves rather than a constant presence.

Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG):

Jointly initiated by the Union Health Ministry of Health, and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) with the Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
A consortium of 54 laboratories to monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2.
INSACOG is a multi-laboratory, multi-agency, Pan-India network to monitor genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2 by a sentinel sequencing effort which is facilitated by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi involving the Central Surveillance Unit (CSU) under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).

Source: TH