More than four years after it was officially declared a pandemic, COVID-19 is still not considered a winter respiratory virus. Rather, cases are currently estimated to be increasing in the United States, with one variant of the virus, KP.3, dominating.
“As of July 23, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are increasing or likely to increase in 36 states and territories, decreasing or likely to decrease in one state and territory, and stable or uncertain in five states and territories,” the CDC said. Latest updates About the COVID-19 situation in the United States.
The CDC also has a SARS-CoV-2 surveillance program. Tracking mutations The latest data shows that the KP.3 variant is now the dominant variant, estimated to account for 32.9% of cases in the two weeks to July 20.
KP.3 is FLiRT variants The SARS-CoV-2 variants first identified earlier this year are less flashy than their name, which comes from amino acid changes in the spike protein (the part of the virus that attaches to and infects cells in the body).
The immune system can learn, either naturally or through vaccination, to recognise the spike protein and eliminate the virus, but the virus can escape destruction by evolving a slightly different form.
So it seems like we’re seeing a new variant appear every two weeks – KP.3 is the latest in a long lineage – in fact, all FLiRT variants are descended from other variants. JN.1emerged earlier this year.
Like the unwanted gift that keeps on giving, 3P 3… Now it has also developed its own offspring, KP.3.1.1, the second most dominant variant estimated to be circulating in 17.7% of the U.S. cases.
So with cases on the rise, what are the signs to look out for with this particular variant?
of CDCThe list of possible symptoms for KP.3 is the same as that for JN.1.
- Fever/chills
- cough
- shortness of breath
- Malaise
- muscle pain
- headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- sore throat
- snot
- Nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
This is by no means a complete list. “Symptoms may change with new variants of COVID-19 and may vary from person to person,” the CDC says. And symptoms may not appear until up to two weeks after exposure to the virus.
As for whether the vaccine can tackle the new variants, Updated vaccines The vaccine, due for release in the fall, is pending FDA approval but will do its job thanks to the KP.3 lineage, said epidemiologist Adrian Esterman. Newsweek.
“[T]Around September, new vaccines based on either the JN.1 or FLiRT variants will be available that offer much better protection.”
