Covid Changes Its Face Again: New Variant KP.2 Emerges
The Sars-CoV-2 virus continues to evolve, with the latest dominant variant, JN.1, giving rise to subvariants with additional mutations. One such subvariant, nicknamed “Flirt,” has caught the attention of experts due to its increased transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities.
Among these subvariants, KP.2 has emerged as a cause for concern. In the United States, KP.2 has already surpassed its “mother” variant, JN.1, and is now responsible for one in four infections according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Researchers have been studying KP.2 closely and have found that it is more transmissible and immunoevasive than JN.1. A preliminary study published on the pre-print platform “bioRxiv” suggests that KP.2 has the potential to become predominant globally, with its rapid spread reaching 20% in the UK by early April.
Despite its increased transmissibility, KP.2 has shown lower infectivity compared to JN.1. However, it has demonstrated significant immune escape capacity, making it more resistant to existing vaccines.
Scientists are calling for further research to understand the implications of the KP.2 variant for public health and vaccine development. The emergence of this new variant highlights the importance of ongoing surveillance and monitoring of the virus’s evolution.
As the virus continues to change and adapt, it is crucial for public health officials and researchers to stay vigilant and proactive in their efforts to combat the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
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