FLiRT covid variant raises concern in India
New Delhi | Desk: Recent spikes in COVID-19 cases across India have reignited worries among scientists, particularly with the emergence of a new variant called FLiRT. As per the government data released on Thursday, a total of 469 patients were identified across the nation which revealed a rapid escalation in the active cases.
Scientists’ note that while the previous variant, JN.1, has seen a decline globally, the new variant, identified as KP.2 and dubbed FLiRT, is spreading rapidly.
Health experts warn that the FLiRT variant, known to heighten the risk of COVID-19, previously prevalent in Singapore, is now gaining momentum in India, underscoring the importance of continued vigilance.
FLiRT, believed to be a derivative of the Omicron variant, has seen the highest number of cases reported in Maharashtra, with 148 patients affected.
Additionally, 36 cases have been identified in West Bengal, 23 in Gujarat, 21 in Rajasthan, 17 in Odisha, 16 in Uttarakhand, 12 in Goa, 8 in Uttar Pradesh, 4 in Karnataka, 3 in Haryana, and one each in Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.
Regarding the severity of FLiRT, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlight that its predecessor, JN.1, was prevalent during winter months, characterized by milder symptoms compared to earlier pandemic variants.
However, it remains uncertain whether FLiRT will lead to more severe illness or present altered symptoms.
The CDC emphasizes that individual response to the virus varies, with factors such as immunity and overall health playing significant roles in determining the severity of COVID-19 illness, irrespective of the strain contracted.
