May 5th 2024.
Medical experts have recently raised concerns about a new variant of Covid-19, known as FLiRT, which is spreading rapidly in the United States. This variant, belonging to the JN.1 lineage of the Omicron strain, has the ability to evade the immune system due to a change in amino acids between two spike proteins. According to Dr. Rajeev Gupta, Director of Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital in Delhi, FLiRT is quickly replacing the previous variant, Eris, in several countries including the US, UK, New Zealand, and South Korea.
Dr. Gupta also mentioned that there has been a recent increase in hospitalization rates attributed to FLiRT, but thankfully the overall mortality rate has not increased. The Infectious Disease Society of America has given this new variant the nickname "FLiRT" based on its specific mutations. The World Health Organization has classified it as a variant of interest and has advised for close monitoring.
Another medical expert, Dr. Dhiren Gupta, a Pediatric Intensivist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, stated that new strains of the virus will continue to emerge. He also mentioned that while FLiRT may not cause significant damage to the lungs like the delta strain, it can still affect the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, it is crucial to remain vigilant and monitor any major changes in the virus.
Experts believe that the increased use of monoclonal antibodies may be driving this mutation of the virus. The symptoms of FLiRT are similar to other subvariants of Omicron, including sore throat, cough, fatigue, nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, muscle aches, fever, and possible loss of taste and smell. As the situation continues to develop, it is important to stay informed and follow safety measures to protect ourselves and others from this new variant.
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