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There is currently a whole family of corona pathogens circulating that could replace the omicron variant. This increases the risk of infection again.
Munich – “After more than four years, we are all fed up,” said the American cardiologist Eric Topol in the introduction to his Blog to. “But we have to keep an eye on the constantly evolving virus.” This refers to the corona virus Sars-CoV-2, which was hardly discussed after the pandemic. For this reason, the doctor warned in his own article about the new “FLiRT variants”, which are also available in… Germany could trigger a corona wave could.
Corona wave in spring? FLiRT variants on the rise in Germany
After the Omicron descendant JN.1 dominated the global infection process in the past few months, new variants have now emerged and are currently spreading rapidly USA spread: the so-called FLiRT variants. The name comes from the letters “F”, “L”, “R”, “T”, which occur in the individual mutations of these variants, such as “F456L”. So it’s a whole family of Corona variants.
Within this family, one variant in particular stands out negatively: KP.2. This accounted for 25 percent of the cases examined for variants in the USA in the last two weeks of April Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show. Also in Germany the variant has already arrived. Although loud dominates Weekly report from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) still JN.1 with a share of 38 percent, but KP.2 is currently in second place with 19 percent.
FLiRT variants in Germany: Doctors give the all-clear on the Corona wave
The authors of a provisionally published Japanese study, for which expert review is still pending, believe that the KP.2 variant could become the predominant lineage worldwide. The reason for this is that KP.2 has a higher reproductive capacity than the omicron descendant JN.1. The doctor Topol also took up the topic in his article and wrote that the FLiRT variants enjoy a growth advantage and could therefore displace JN.1.
Nevertheless, Topol does not think that the FLiRT variants lead to a worrying number of infections, as they are mutations with which we have already come into contact. “I assume that we will experience a wave in the next few months, but not a significant new wave of infections as a result of the FLiRT variants,” explained the cardiologist. In his opinion, these will not pose a major challenge to the immune system.
It is not yet known whether the FLiRT variants cause new symptoms. Omicron-typical symptoms such as fatigue, fever, chills, sore throat, runny nose and cough in conjunction with breathing difficulties are conceivable. Topol therefore recommends further vaccination for immunocompromised people and those over 65 years of age. The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) also advises risk groups still need an annual booster vaccination. (cln)