Mumbai, India — Maharashtra has detected 91 cases of the new FLiRT COVID-19 variants, including the KP.1.1 and KP.2 strains, raising concerns about the spread of these mutations. However, top experts have reassured the public that there is no immediate cause for alarm, as no severe cases or deaths have been reported so far.
The FLiRT variants, comprising mainly of the KP.1.1 and KP.2 strains, have been identified in Maharashtra through genome sequencing efforts. These variants are named based on the technical names for their mutations, with one strain featuring the letters “F” and “L,” and another strain including the letters “R” and “T.”
Genome sequencing conducted in March and April revealed that Maharashtra has recorded 91 cases of the KP.2 variant, with the majority of cases reported in Pune (51), followed by Thane (20), Amravati (7), Aurangabad (7), Solapur (2), Ahmednagar (1), Nashik (1), Latur (1), and Sangli (1). Despite the prevalence of these variants, infectious disease expert Dr. Ishwar Gilada emphasized that there is no immediate cause for concern, as no deaths, hospitalizations, or severe illnesses have been linked to these cases. Additionally, the test positivity rate remains low, hovering around 1%.
Dr. Rajesh Karyakarte, Maharashtra’s genome sequencing coordinator, acknowledged that the KP.2 variant has become the predominant strain in the state. However, he noted that there has not been a corresponding increase in hospitalizations or severe cases, indicating that the variant may not be causing more severe illness compared to previous strains.
The FLiRT variants are descendants of the highly transmissible and immune system-evading Omicron variant. KP.2, first identified globally in January, traces its lineage back to Omicron’s JN.1 variant. Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that KP.2 accounted for approximately one in four or 25% of newly sequenced cases in the United States in the last weeks of April.
Similar to previous COVID-19 variants, the FLiRT variants present with a range of symptoms, including a sore throat, runny nose, congestion, fatigue, fever (with or without chills), headache, muscle pain, and occasionally loss of taste or smell. While these symptoms may vary in severity, individuals experiencing any of these symptoms are advised to seek medical attention and get tested for COVID-19.
Health authorities in Maharashtra are closely monitoring the situation and conducting extensive surveillance to track the spread of FLiRT variants. Public health measures, including testing, contact tracing, and vaccination efforts, remain critical in controlling the spread of the virus and mitigating its impact on communities.
While the detection of FLiRT variants in Maharashtra raises concerns about the evolving nature of the COVID-19 virus, experts emphasize that there is no immediate cause for panic. Continued vigilance, adherence to public health guidelines, and timely testing and vaccination efforts are essential in containing the spread of these variants and protecting public health. As researchers and health authorities continue to study and monitor the FLiRT variants, ongoing communication and collaboration will be key in addressing the challenges posed by COVID-19 mutations and safeguarding community well-being.
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