FLiRT, New Covid-19 Variant, Spreading Fast in US, is Capable of Evading the Immune System, Say Experts
FLiRT, which belongs to Omicron's JN.1 lineage, is rapidly replacing the previous variant, Eris, in the US, the UK, New Zealand, and South Korea, according to Rajeev Gupta, Director of Internal Medicine at the CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi.
New Delhi, May 5: The new Covid-19 variant 'FLiRT', which is spreading fast in the US, is capable of evading the immune system due to a trans substitution of amino acids between two spike proteins, the experts said on Sunday.
FLiRT, which belongs to Omicron's JN.1 lineage, is rapidly replacing the previous variant, Eris, in the US, the UK, New Zealand, and South Korea, according to Rajeev Gupta, Director of Internal Medicine at the CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi. What Is FLiRT? From Symptoms to Preventive Measures, Know All About New COVID-19 Variant Spreading Fast in US.
"A recent increase in hospitalisation rates in these countries has been attributed to this variant; however, it has remained a relatively small wave. The overall mortality rate has not increased," Gupta told IANS. According to the Infectious Disease Society of America, the nickname 'FLiRT' is based on the technical names for their mutations.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reclassified it as a variant of interest and advised close monitoring. According to Dhiren Gupta, a Pediatric Intensivist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, these new strains will keep emerging. What Is Mumps, Viral Infection on Rise in Delhi-NCR, Other States? Know Its Causes, Symptoms and Treatment.
"Fortunately, none of the Omicron lineage is able to induce significant lung damage as delta strain did but limited to the upper respiratory tract. The surveillance and vigilance should be kept for major drift in virus," he said. According to the experts, the increased use of monoclonal antibodies could be driving this mutation.
The symptoms of the new variant are similar to those of other Omicron subvariants, such as sore throat, cough, fatigue, nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, muscle aches, fever, and possible loss of taste and smell, the experts mentioned.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 05, 2024 04:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).