A newly emerged strain of coronavirus, named "Flirt," has claimed millions of lives worldwide, proving to be even deadlier than its predecessors.
The Flirt variant of the coronavirus, initially prevalent in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, has now surfaced in neighboring India. Recently, 91 cases of the new COVID variant were detected in Maharashtra state.
Indian media reports indicate that the first case of this variant in India emerged in January, with the number escalating to 250 cases by April. This variant is purportedly more lethal than its predecessors, as even individuals who have received booster doses are not immune to it, sparking widespread apprehension.
Renowned health expert and former president of the Asian Society for Emergency Medicine, Dr. Tamoresh Kaul, explained on ETV that Flirt differs from Omicron and encompasses two main types: KP-2 and KP-1. KP-2 is rapidly spreading in the US, supplanting the previous Omicron subvariant, JN1.
Dr. Kaul revealed that India has recorded 250 cases of various types of the new coronavirus variant so far. This virus has been circulating in the country since November of last year, with most cases attributed to subtypes KP-2 and KP-1. Factors such as waning immunity and low uptake of the latest Covid vaccine have contributed to heightened vulnerability among the population.
"These variants are descendants of the Omicron variant JN1, which spread globally last winter," he explained. "India has consistently reported the highest proportion of KP2 sequences worldwide, accounting for nearly one-third of the global database over the past 2 months."
Symptoms of the Corona "Flirt" virus:
This variant of Corona presents similar symptoms to the initial strain, including sore throat, cough, fever, runny nose, head and body aches, chest infection, fatigue, and, in severe cases, shortness of breath and digestive problems.
While there are no clear indications that the Flirt variant is more perilous than its predecessors, exercising extreme caution is paramount.
How to prevent this virus?
Stay informed about the latest updates on Covid-19 vaccinations, including booster doses, advised Dr. Cole, to minimize the risk of severe illness. Utilize well-fitted masks in crowded settings and implement strategies to enhance indoor ventilation and filtration to mitigate the spread of the virus.
When reached for comment, a senior health ministry official stated that INSECOG is actively monitoring the emergence of new strains. Flirt has currently garnered attention in India. The government remains abreast of developments concerning the emergence of Covid-19 strains.
