FLiRT Variant: New Covid-19 Variants Surge in the US

A new group of Covid-19 variants is circulating in the United States. According to the study of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of that country (CDC, its acronym in English), the changing family, nicknamed “FLiRT” due to their mutations, they are currently the top series in the country.

One of its variations, KP.2, accounts for about 25% of all infections in the US. and is currently a major variant. The variants are part of the Omicron family.

Megan L. Ranney dean of the Yale School of Public Health, he told the WebMD site that FLiRT There are also some disturbing features, as will change in the spike proteinwhich plays a role in helping SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, take hold and make people sick.

“We have a population of people with declining immunity, which increases our resistance on a wave”Thomas A. Russo MD, chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, told the same site.

However, since it is a variant of Omicron, its symptoms are very similar to those already known, including:

-Sore throat

-Shut up

– Fatigue

– Condensation

-Runny nose

-Headache

– Muscle pain

-Fever

– Shaking chills

– Difficulty breathing

– loss of taste or smell

– Nausea

– Throwing out

– Diarrhea.

As Pier Luigi Lopalco explained to the Republican site, “Symptoms should not be worse than those typical of the seasonal flu.”

However, some worrying data shows that even those who have recently received the Covid vaccine increase, they may not be well protected against a possible increase in this variation. Examination predictable published this week by researchers at Harvard University shows strong evidence that the latest boost doesn’t hold up well against JN.1, the latest dominant variant, and its branches FLiRT. The study has not yet been peer-reviewed.

Some early research suggests that KP.2 has progressed to the point that current vaccinations and immunity from previous infections may provide partial protection. The culprit, according to an investigation in bioRxiv It would be a change in the structure of the spike protein, which would give more resistance. “Early laboratory studies indicate that the vaccines will continue to provide protection against KP.2; “A little less protection, but no nerve issue,” he said. to today’s site William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

As the virus moves, of course, it becomes more and more different from Omicron, the target of the most recent upgrade launched in the fall of 2023. “We hope this will happen and we expect the plan is to have an updated vaccine available in the fall for everyone.”, the expert added. However, it is important to remember that vaccines, although they do not prevent disease, offer protection by limiting the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and complications related to Covid-19.

In Chile, in week 17 (the last one published by the Ministry of Health), a genomic study of SARS-CoV-2 showed an increase in the circulation of the JN.1 version* with 39 cases, replacing other major variants such as EG.5.1*, GK.1*, and JD.1.1.

But, The report has not yet informed about the appearance of this version in the country. As in the US and most of the world, the JN. 1 – also from Omicron – spread worldwide over the winter and still accounts for 95% of Covid cases in the US.

His line is the Omicron variant, which has been circulating in some form since 2021. However, new versions can catch up quickly. JN.1 accounted for almost none of the issues in mid-November in the US, but quickly jumped to 21% in December and at 85% in the third week of January, very similar progress in Chile.

Although there are doubts about it How will the new consolidation cope with the latest changes?, experts want to keep up with the latest vaccines, which are still the best way to protect yourself. For those who have not received the last dose increase, time is of the essence. And for those over 65 years old or vaccinated, CDC They recommend getting the second updated Covid booster dose 4 months after your last booster dose.

Lose CDC They recommend that people stay at home and self-isolate for at least 24 hours after their fever has gone and their overall symptoms have improved. And if you are in a crowded place, with poor ventilation, a mask is still a simple and effective protective device.

Today, a group of researchers published in the journal Nature’s nanotechnologyarticle containing They claim to have developed new technology in vaccines. This allows protection against a wide variety of coronaviruses that may break out in the future. The new technology has already been demonstrated in mice. In accordance with article from Cambridge UniversityRory Hills, a graduate researcher from the institution’s Department of Pharmacology and first author of the study, explains: ““Our goal is to create a vaccine that will protect us from the next coronavirus pandemic and be ready even before the pandemic begins.”.