As COVID cases rise again, what do I would like to know concerning the recent FLiRT variants?

We’ve now been living with COVID for well over 4 years. Although there’s still much to find out about SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) no less than one thing seems clear: it’s here to remain.

From the unique Wuhan variant, to Delta, to Omicron, and a number of other others in between, the virus has continued to evolve.

New variants have driven repeated waves of infection and challenged doctors and scientists looking for to know this changing virus’ behaviour.

Now, we’re faced with a brand new group of variants, the so-called “FLiRT” variants, which seem like contributing to a rising wave of COVID infections around Australia and elsewhere. So where have they arrive from, and are they cause for concern?

A descendant of Omicron

The FLiRT variants are a bunch of subvariants of JN.1 from the Omicron lineage.

JN.1 was detected in August 2023 and declared a variant of interest by the World Health Organization in December 2023. By early 2024, it had grow to be probably the most dominant variant in Australia and far of the remaining of the world, driving large waves of infections.

As recent variants emerge, scientists work hard to try to know their potential impact. This includes sequencing their genes and assessing their potential to transmit, infect and cause disease.

In late 2023 scientists detected a variety of subvariants of JN.1 in wastewater within the United States. Since then, these JN.1 subvariants, including KP.1.1, KP.2 and KP.3, have popped up and grow to be more common world wide.

But why the name FLiRT? Sequencing of those subvariants revealed a variety of recent mutations within the virus’ spike protein, including F456L, V1104L and R346T. The name FLiRT was coined by combining the letters in these mutations.

The spike protein is an important protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 that provides the virus its spiky shape and which it uses to connect to our cells. Amino acids are the basic constructing blocks that mix together to form proteins and the spike protein is 1,273 amino acids long.

The numbers check with the placement of the mutations within the spike protein, while the letters designate the amino acid mutation. So for instance, F456L denotes a change from F (an amino acid called phenylalanine) to L (the amino acid leucine) at position 456.

What can we find out about FLiRT’s characteristics?

The regions of the spike protein where the mutations have been found are vital for 2 important reasons. The first is antibody binding, which influences the degree to which the immune system can recognise and neutralise the virus. The second is virus binding to host cells, which is required to cause infection.

These aspects explain why some experts have suggested the FLiRT subvariants could also be more transmissible than earlier COVID variants.

There are also very early suggestions the FLiRT subvariants could evade immunity from prior infections and vaccination higher than the parental JN.1 variant. However, this research is yet to be peer-reviewed (independently verified by other researchers).

In more positive news, there’s no evidence the FLiRT variants cause more severe disease than earlier variants. Still, that doesn’t mean catching a COVID infection driven by FLiRT is risk-free.

Overall though, it’s very early days by way of published research on these recent FLiRT subvariants. We will need peer-reviewed data to know more about FLiRT’s characteristics.

The rise of FLiRT

In the USFLiRT has overtaken the unique JN.1 variant because the dominant strain. The latest data from the US suggests the unique JN.1 is making up lower than 16% of cases.

While the FLiRT subvariants were detected in Australia more recently, they seem like gaining traction. For example, NSW Health data as much as mid May showed the proportion of KP.2 and KP.3 samples was continuing to extend.

In other parts of the world, comparable to the United Kingdom, the FLiRT subvariants are similarly on the rise.

In Australia, as temperatures proceed to drop, and we head into the winter months, respiratory viruses commonly increase in circulation and case numbers peak.

So it’s anticipated that the variety of COVID cases will rise. And with the FLiRT subvariants showing evidence of increased “fitness”, meaning they present a stronger challenge against our body’s immune defences, it’s possible they are going to soon take over because the dominant subvariants circulating in Australia.

How can I stay protected?

As the FLiRT variants are descended from Omicron, the current booster on offer in Australia, against Omicron XBB.1.5, is more likely to offer substantial protection. Although it’s not guaranteed to stop you becoming infected, COVID vaccines proceed to supply strong protection against severe disease. So if you’re eligibleconsider getting a booster to guard yourself this winter.

SARS-CoV-2 is now an endemic virus meaning it would proceed to flow into world wide. To do that, the virus mutates – often only barely – to survive.

The recent FLiRT subvariants are excellent examples of this, where the virus mutates enough to proceed to flow into and cause disease. So far there is no such thing as a suggestion these subvariants are causing more severe illness. It’s more likely they are going to cause people to catch COVID yet again.

While the knowledge now we have at this stage doesn’t give us significant cause for concern concerning the FLiRT variants specifically, we’re nonetheless facing rising COVID infections over again. And we all know people who find themselves older or vulnerable, for instance resulting from medical conditions that compromise their immune system, proceed to be at greater risk.