Several of these FLiRT iterations, notably the JN.1 strain, which previously dominated, are witnessing a decline. JN.1 had held sway as the predominant strain across the nation through much of the winter months.

Presently, KP.2 emerges as the most conspicuous variant. Descendants of the JN.1 lineage, alongside KP.1.1, these strains have earned the moniker FLiRT due to their mutational peculiarities, according to the reports by US News. 

Here’s a comprehensive overview:

What is Their Prevalence?

During the fortnight concluding on May 11, KP.2 accounted for over 28% of fresh infections, as per estimates provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, KP.1.1 contributed to more than 7% of new cases.

Notably, KP.2 is witnessing a surge globally. According to the World Health Organization, this variant now constitutes nearly 10% of infections worldwide, marking an escalation from over 6% recorded approximately a month earlier.

Maria Van Kerkhove from the WHO recently remarked on the significance of KP.2, stating, “It’s one we’re keeping a close eye on.”

“The initial sequences were reported in January of this year, indicating a prolonged circulation period. We anticipate fluctuations in these percentages,” Van Kerkhove mentioned during a press briefing this month.

Impact on COVID-19 Metrics, Hospitalizations, and Fatalities:

Recent data reflects a notable downturn in COVID-19 hospitalizations, reaching their lowest levels since the onset of the pandemic.

At the national level, wastewater viral activity, a key indicator of both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, is presently categorized as “minimal” by the CDC, as per US News. 

As of now, KP.2 has not precipitated a surge in COVID-19 metrics.

“Despite being the predominant variant in the US, KP.2 has not led to an uptick in COVID-19 infections or more severe outcomes compared to other variants,” as stated by the CDC.

The seasonal trajectory of COVID-19 remains uncertain, leaving open the possibility of a summer resurgence. Moreover, the reliability of COVID-19 data is dwindling, given that certain metrics are no longer mandated for reporting to federal authorities.

This predicament is not unique to the United States.

“With diminishing rates of testing and genome sequencing on a global scale, accurately gauging the severity impact of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants is becoming increasingly arduous,” the WHO noted in its report.

Nevertheless, the organization emphasized that there have been “no reported laboratory or epidemiological indications” suggesting heightened disease severity associated with the variants.

Efficacy of Vaccines Against FLiRT Variants:

While current COVID-19 vaccines target XBB.1.5, which is no longer prevalent in the US, they are expected to offer enhanced protection against circulating strains.

The FLiRT variants are likely to factor into deliberations when federal advisors convene in June to discuss the next steps for COVID-19 vaccine updates. Originally scheduled for this month, the meeting was postponed to allow for the gathering of additional surveillance data and pertinent information, as highlighted by US News. 

“The FDA does not anticipate any delays impacting the availability of COVID-19 vaccines for the Fall,” reassured the agency in its announcement.

Despite expectations, the uptake of the latest COVID-19 vaccine fell short of projections, with less than 23% of adults receiving the jab, according to CDC statistics. This figure is markedly lower than the vaccination rate for the flu shot, which stood at 48% for adults.

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Notwithstanding this triumph, the repercussions of the pandemic proved catastrophic, urging contemplation on shielding against forthcoming pandemic perils. In addition to SARS-CoV-2 (the culprit behind COVID), hitherto obscure coronaviruses spearheaded fatal outbreaks like SARS (2003) and MERS (2012 flare-up with ongoing instances). Meanwhile, sundry bat coronaviruses in circulation have been pinpointed as harboring the potential to invade humans – a prospect fueling prospective outbreaks, according to The Conversation. 

Recent revelations by experts demonstrated in murine models unveiled the efficacy of a solitary, relatively uncomplicated vaccine in warding off a spectrum of coronaviruses – even those yet to surface. This marks a stride towards the aspiration of “proactive vaccinology,” wherein vaccines are forged against pandemics preemptively.

Traditional vaccines hinge on a singular antigen (a virus segment instigating an immune retort) typically guarding against that virus exclusively. They typically falter in safeguarding against a panoply of known viruses or those yet to emerge.

Prior investigations underscored the triumph of “mosaic nanoparticles” in eliciting immune reactions to assorted coronaviruses. These mosaic nanoparticles leverage a genre of protein superglue technology, binding two disparate proteins irreversibly.

This “superglue” adorns a singular nanoparticle with multiple receptor-binding domains – pivotal constituents of a virus nestled on the spike protein – sourced from diverse viruses. The vaccine concentrates on a subset of coronaviruses dubbed sarbecoviruses, encompassing the viruses instigating COVID, SARS, and sundry bat viruses harboring human infectivity potential.

As a virus mutates, certain segments undergo alterations while others remain constant. Our vaccine incorporates evolutionarily linked receptor-binding domains (RBDs); thus, a solitary vaccine primes the immune system to retaliate against unchanging virus segments. This not only shields against viruses encapsulated in the vaccine but crucially extends protection to related viruses omitted from the vaccine, as reported by The Conversation. 

Despite the triumph with mosaic nanoparticles, the vaccine proved intricate, impeding large-scale production.

Simplified Vaccine

In a collaborative endeavor between the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Caltech, a simplified vaccine has been devised, still conferring broad protection. This feat was accomplished by genetically melding RBDs from four distinct sarbecoviruses to craft a unified protein termed a “quartet.” Subsequently, these quartets are affixed to a “protein nanocage,” employing a protein adhesive to formulate the vaccine.

Upon immunization with these nanocage vaccines, mice generated antibodies neutralizing an array of sarbecoviruses, encompassing those not featured in the vaccine. This underscores the potential to fortify against related viruses potentially unbeknownst at the vaccine’s inception.

In tandem with this streamlined manufacturing and assembly process, our novel vaccine spurred immune reactions in mice, at minimum matching, and often surpassing, those elicited by our original mosaic nanoparticles vaccine, as The Conversation reported. 

Given the substantial fraction of the populace inoculated or previously afflicted with SARS-CoV-2, concerns arose regarding the potential impediment posed by existing SARS-CoV-2 immunity to safeguard against other coronaviruses. Nevertheless, our vaccine has demonstrated the capacity to instigate a broad anti-sarbecovirus immune retort, even in mice previously immunized against SARS-CoV-2.

Our subsequent endeavor entails human trials of this vaccine. Furthermore, we are extending this technology to safeguard against other virus cohorts capable of human infection. All endeavors propel us nearer to the realization of establishing a compendium of vaccines against viruses harboring pandemic potential, preempting their cross-species transmission to humans.

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