New COVID-19 subvariant group 'FLiRT' is now dominant in Canada. What to know about symptoms, vaccines & more

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A new family of COVID-19 subvariants dubbed the "FLiRT" variants is spreading in Canada. Despite the playful nickname, these genetic cousins of the Omicron subvariant JN.1 are becoming the dominant strains nationwide, particularly the KP.2 subvariant.

COVID-19 data reporting shows that as of April 28, KP.2 made up for just over 26 per cent of all COVID-19 cases in Canada.

Currently, COVID-19 activity remains relatively low across Canada, with "very little COVID activity in the vast majority of the country," according to Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist. He told Yahoo Canada this is evidenced by low wastewater signals, hospitalization rates and case positivity.

But, the new strains could change that. How are the FLiRT subvariants, and KP.2, different than previous versions of the virus? Read on for everything you need to know.

What are the FLiRT COVID-19 subvariants?

Global News reported the FLiRT subvariants — KP.1, KP.2, and KP.3 — emerged from the JN.1 Omicron subvariant, which has been dominant worldwide since the winter of 2023-2024. The name 'FLiRT' reflects specific genetic mutations in these subvariants, infectious disease specialist Gerald Evans from Queen's University explained to the publication.

"They are nicknamed FLiRT mutations because the amino phenylalanine (abbreviated as F) replaces the amino acid leucine (abbreviated as L), while the amino acid arginine (R) is replaced by threonine (T)," he told Global News. "And the 'I' is just in there to make it sound like a real word."

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that KP.2 began circulating globally in January and has additional mutations in the spike protein.

Dr. Bogoch told Yahoo Canada that "this is the newest iteration of these mutations; it's still under the Omicron umbrella."

Are there unique symptoms with FLiRT variants of COVID?

Despite the genetic changes, Bogoch says the symptoms of the FLiRT variants are similar or same to those of other Omicron subvariants. "It's probably more of the same," he claimed, adding it's unlikely we'll see any surprises when it comes to symptoms.

In general, COVID-19 symptoms continue to include: sore throat, runny nose, cough, fatigue and muscle aches, among others.

Are the FLiRT subvariants more contagious?

Gerald Evans told Global News that KP.2 may have a reproductive advantage, but its infectivity rate is significantly lower than that of previous Omicron subvariants.

While KP.2 may have an advantage in evading immunity, there's no need for alarm, according to Bogoch. He noted that most Canadians have already been infected, vaccinated or both.

"Not very much [is known about the FLiRT subvariants], but I think the key thing here is that this is more of the same," Bogoch explained.

How effective is the current vaccine against FLiRT?

While the current COVID-19 vaccine targets the XBB 1.5 subvariant, it is still expected to offer protection against the FLiRT variants.

Bogoch reinforced the importance of vaccines, noting that while they may not prevent infection as effectively as in the early stages of the pandemic, they can significantly reduce the severity of illness.

"The vaccines reduce the risk of infection, but not nearly to the same extent as they did in the past," he said. "But the vaccines, regardless of the vaccine, continue to reduce the risk of severe manifestations of the virus, especially in those who are most vulnerable."

He expects an updated vaccine to be available by fall 2024.

Are we going to see another surge of COVID-19?

While current COVID-19 activity remains relatively low across Canada, with low wastewater signals and hospitalization rates, Bogoch cautioned that COVID-19 cases will likely rise again in the fall and winter.

"Anytime we see some of these mutations occur, there is often a corresponding [rise in] cases," he said. "It's hard to exactly pinpoint how much and how significant that will be."

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) anticipates another surge later this year and recommends an updated vaccine to replace the current XBB.1.5 vaccine.

What Canadians should know

When asked about recommendations for Canadians to stay safe, Bogoch emphasized there's nothing new regarding preventive measures.

"There's nothing new here," he said. "The only thing that's new is the genetic fingerprint of the virus is somewhat changing."

He advised Canadians to evaluate their own risk tolerance and behave accordingly. For seniors and those with underlying health conditions, he recommended asking your doctor or other health professional for advice.

"You don't get medical advice over media, and this is not like the early days of the pandemic, right? There's a bit of more nuance here," he explained. "If people have difficulty accessing their healthcare provider, remember that there's a lot of different health care providers out there that can help, including nurses, nurse practitioners, public health experts and pharmacists."

In the meantime, maintaining basic preventive measures like hand hygiene, masking in crowded indoor spaces and vaccination remain effective strategies for staying safe from any virus.

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