New York:

The so-called FLiRT variants of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that trigger COVID-19 have been the dominant types of the virus circulating this yr globally, in accordance with the World Well being Group

The moniker FLiRT is an acronym for the areas of the mutations the variants share on the virus’ spike protein. One among them, referred to as KP.2, has develop into probably the most generally circulating variant in america over the previous month, in accordance with the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

Here’s what you want to learn about FLiRT.

HOW ARE THE FLIRT VARIANTS DIFFERENT FROM PREVIOUS VARIANTS?

The FLiRT variants, which additionally embody KP.2’s “parental” lineage JN.1, have three key mutations on their spike protein that would assist them evade antibodies, in accordance with Johns Hopkins College.

ARE THE FLIRT VARIANTS MORE CONTAGIOUS OR LIKELY TO CAUSE MORE SEVERE ILLNESS?

Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious illnesses at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside, New York, and a spokesperson for the Infectious Ailments Society of America stated he has not seen proof of an uptick in illness or hospitalizations, based mostly on the info he tracks and expertise together with his personal sufferers.

“There have been some vital modifications within the variants, however I believe in latest occasions it is not been as vital, most likely due to the immunity many, many individuals have already got” from prior sickness and vaccination.

CDC knowledge means that COVID-related hospitalizations have trended downwards in latest weeks and the variety of sufferers in emergency departments who’ve examined constructive for COVID has been about flat for the previous month.

Knowledge means that COVID charges are additionally down year-over-year. The speed of COVID hospitalizations is lower than half than a yr earlier, and the quantity of the antiviral Paxlovid at present being prescribed for COVID-19 is down round 60% from final yr, in accordance with analyst notes.

DO CURRENT VACCINES WORK AGAINST THE FLIRT VARIANTS?

The present vaccines ought to nonetheless have some profit towards the brand new variants, Glatt stated.

Since 2022, well being regulators have requested vaccine makers to design new variations of the COVID-19 vaccines to raised goal circulating variants. Final month, Europe’s regulator stated vaccine makers ought to goal the JN.1 variant. U.S. specialists and regulators will meet to debate vaccine design on June 5 after having postponed the assembly from Might 16 to be able to have extra time to “acquire surveillance knowledge and different data.”

Makers of vaccines based mostly on messenger RNA (mRNA) know-how – Pfizer with associate BioNTech, and Moderna – say they’re ready for the June 5 assembly earlier than deciding on the design of their subsequent vaccines.

Novavax, which makes a extra conventional protein-based vaccine that takes longer to fabricate, has begun producing a shot concentrating on JN.1 in line with suggestions from European regulators.

(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)