A new variant of the coronavirus is spreading. KP.2 may be resistant to vaccines

KP.2 is one of several variants referred to as “FLiRT variants”. The latest research, published on the bioRxiv server, shows that it may have an increased ability to avoid the immune response generated by previous vaccinations or infections. The KP.2 variant has been observed in various countries, including the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. Over the last few weeks, a particular increase in the number of people infected with the KP.2 variant has been recorded in the United Kingdom. According to virologists, this may indicate the potential dominance of this pathogen in the global virus population.

Surveillance of the variant is currently ongoing. Researchers want to understand how KP.2 affects the course of the pandemic and what measures may be most effective in combating it. Monitoring and research on all emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 help adapt vaccination strategies and other preventive actions.

It is worth emphasizing that the “resistance” of the virus to vaccines does not mean that they are completely ineffective – vaccines still provide some level of protection. They are particularly important in the context of preventing severe disease and hospitalizations. However, work is still ongoing to update vaccines to better respond to changing SARS-CoV-2 variants. This is a typical practice used in the fight against many viruses that mutate, such as the influenza virus.

What are the symptoms of infection caused by the KP.2 variant?

As for the symptoms of coronavirus infection, the KP.2 variant may cause symptoms similar to other SARS-CoV-2 variants. However, precise data on the specific symptoms that KP.2 may cause are still under investigation and analyzed in the context of its unique virological properties.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• high temperature or chills

• the appearance of a continuous cough, i.e. one that lasts for more than an hour or three or more episodes of coughing in 24 hours,

• loss or change in sense of smell or taste

• shortness of breath,

• feeling tired or exhausted,

• muscle aches,

• headache,

• sore throat,

• nasal congestion or runny nose,

• loss of appetite.

Additionally, sick people may experience symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. These are less typical but occur in some COVID-19 patients. The above symptoms are characteristic of infection caused by variants of the coronavirus and can vary in severity from very mild to severe, depending on many factors, including the person's overall health and age. However, it is worth remembering that each new variant, like KP.2, may cause some changes in the symptom profile.