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In Maharashtra, India, health authorities are closely monitoring the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, KP.2, which has shown increased transmissibility but not heightened virulence, according to medical experts on Monday. The variant, part of the FLiRT group, has garnered attention after 91 cases were detected in various districts of Maharashtra.
The FLiRT variant, which comprises strains KP.1.1 and KP.2, derives its name from the technical nomenclature of their mutations, one involving the letters “F” and “L”, and the other “R” and “T”.
Genome sequencing conducted between March and April has revealed 91 instances of the KP.2 variant in Maharashtra, with significant numbers identified in Pune (51), Thane (20), and other districts like Amravati, Aurangabad, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Nashik, Latur, and Sangli.
“Despite its increased transmissibility, there is no evidence to suggest that the FLiRT group of variants, particularly KP.2, poses a greater risk of severe illness compared to existing variants,” stated Dr. Lancelot Pinto, Consultant Pulmonologist and Epidemiologist at P. D. Hinduja Hospital and MRC, Mahim.
Dr. Pinto emphasized the importance of continued precautions, particularly for immunocompromised individuals, such as wearing masks, avoiding crowded indoor spaces, and managing comorbidities effectively.
Belonging to the Omicron lineage, which is known for its high transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities, the FLiRT variants have been closely watched since their global identification in January. KP.2, a descendant of Omicron’s JN.1, has garnered attention for its increased prevalence in various countries.
Recent data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that KP.2 accounted for approximately 25% of newly sequenced cases in the country during late April. Common symptoms associated with the variant include sore throat, runny nose, congestion, fatigue, fever (with or without chills), headache, muscle pain, and occasionally loss of taste or smell.
Despite its dominance in several countries, including the US, UK, and Canada, experts like Dr. Tushar Tayal, Lead Consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine at C.K. Birla Hospital, Gurugram, suggest that while KP.2 may be prevalent, it has not led to a significant surge in infections compared to previous variants.
As efforts to track and understand the KP.2 variant continue, health authorities emphasize the importance of vaccination, adherence to preventive measures, and vigilance in monitoring its spread to mitigate its potential impact on public health.
