Amorous COVID-19 Strains Unveiled in India: Emerging onto the scene in India is the novel COVID-19 strain labeled as Amorous (FLiRT). The nation has documented 250 instances of COVID-19 thus far, predominantly linked to KP.2 and KP1.1 offshoots, progenies stemming from the Omicron JN.1 lineage.
The advent of Amorous strains has precipitated a surge in COVID-19 contagion across the United States, United Kingdom, and South Korea. Analysts posit that these strains possess the ability to circumvent immunity conferred by vaccinations and previous infections.
Dr. Tushar Tayal, Principal Consultant at the Department of Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, asserts the presence of cases involving the new Covid-19 Omicron subvariant KP.2 in Maharashtra.
“This variant has supplanted the erstwhile prevalent JN.1 variant, spearheading caseloads in multiple nations. It constitutes a cohort of mutations collectively dubbed as Amorous. KP.2 and KP.1.1 stand as representatives of these variants and currently account for a quarter of COVID cases in the United States. Termed as Amorous owing to the mutated sequence derived from their genetic makeup, these variants trace their lineage directly back to JN.1,” elucidates Dr. Tayal to Financial Express.com.
He further elucidates that current laboratory findings suggest KP.2 may emerge as the prevailing variant, marginally surpassing JN.1 in infectiousness.
“…at present, it has yet to engender a significant surge in infection rates or severity,” he remarks.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) underscores no discernible indicators hinting at KP.2 inducing more severe illness than its counterparts.
According to Dr. M. Wali, Senior Consultant at the Department of Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, recent modifications to the lineage have been identified primarily among individuals exhibiting diminished immunity post-booster doses, particularly those who have received MRNA vaccines.
“…A fusion of KP.2 and JN.1 variants, this blend harbors numerous mutations implicated in evading vaccine-conferred immunity. Preliminary investigations suggest KP.2’s relative effective reproduction rate may exceed JN.1’s by a factor of 1.22. However, India need not harbor concerns given our acquired immunity, coupled with the absence of any endorsed new vaccines,” Dr. Wali conveys to Financial Express.com.
What symptoms characterize Amorous variants? Manifestations of Amorous variants encompass:
- hoarseness
- nasal discharge
- respiratory distress
- cephalalgia and myalgia
- pyrexia
- sinus congestion
- weariness
- dyspnea, in severe presentations
“The symptomatology associated with Amorous variants mirrors that of JN.1. Additionally, individuals may experience gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhea, nausea, and emesis,” Dr. Tayal concludes.
