The summer wave of Covid-19 infections is not slowing down as the new variant KP.3.1.1 has doubled its prevalence in the past two weeks. This rise has raised concerns about increased hospitalizations and further spikes in cases.
The New Dominant Strains
The current leading strains, KP.3.1.1 and KP.3, are causing a surge in Covid cases across the US. These strains are part of what is being called the FLIRT variant. The new variants have changes in the spike protein of the virus, making them more efficient at infecting cells and evading the immune system. This means that even people who have been previously infected or vaccinated can be at risk.
Origins and Transmissibility
These variants are descendants of the JN.1 variant but have new mutations that increase their transmissibility. Early analysis, which hasn’t been peer-reviewed yet, suggests that KP.3.1.1 is much more infectious than previous variants, including KP.3.
Eric Topol, a professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research, mentioned in a recent social media post that KP.3.1.1 poses a greater challenge to the immune system compared to previous variants. He emphasized the need for a new KP.2 booster, especially for high-risk individuals.
US Covid Genomic Surveillance
New US Covid genomic surveillance data shows that the FLIRT variants are now responsible for half of the Covid-19 cases in the country.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of the KP.3.1.1 variant are similar to previous Covid-19 strains. These include:
– Fever or chills
– Cough
– Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
– Fatigue
– Muscle or body aches
– Headache
– New loss of taste or smell
– Sore throat
– Congestion or runny nose
– Nausea or vomiting
– Diarrhea
It is essential to stay vigilant, practice good hygiene, and consider getting vaccinated or boosted if eligible.