Why is it in the news?

• FLiRT variants 2 and KP1.1, descendants of Omicron JN.1, are causing a surge in COVID-19 cases globally, with increased hospitalizations reported in the U.S. and other countries.
• These variants, particularly KP.2, are believed to evade immunity from vaccines and prior infections, leading to concerns of a fresh COVID-19 wave.

 More about the news

• In India, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has detected 238 cases of KP.2 and 30 cases of KP1.1, indicating the spread of these variants.
• FLiRT variants possess mutations that enhance their transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities, posing challenges for vaccine-derived immunity and previous infection protection.
• 2 is particularly prevalent, contributing to a significant portion of new cases in countries like the U.S. and the U.K., according to data from the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Symptoms of FLiRT variants resemble those of other Omicron subvariants, including sore throat, cough, nausea, congestion, fatigue, headache, muscle or body ache, and loss of taste or smell.
• Research suggests that KP.2 exhibits increased immune resistance, surpassing immunity from both vaccines and previous infections with the JN.1 variant.
• Despite the rise in FLiRT variant cases, it’s unclear if they will trigger a new COVID-19 wave, but precautions such as maintaining hygiene, wearing masks, social distancing, staying home when unwell, and vaccination remain crucial.
• Efforts to update vaccines to target newer variants like JN.1 are underway, with health bodies emphasizing the need for universal protection and continuous surveillance to manage the evolving landscape of the pandemic.
• COVID-19, while no longer causing profound illness or being a leading cause of death, still poses a risk by destabilizing individuals on the brink of ill health and increasing the burden of respiratory infections, including Long COVID, which may have long-term health implications.