Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TOI
Context: New COVID variants, collectively known as FLiRT, have emerged in India.
The FLiRT variants (KP.2 and KP1.1) are descendants of the Omicron JN.1 variant. They are characterized by increased transmissibility and the ability to potentially evade immunity from vaccines and previous infections. These variants spread through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces.
While KP.2 is more infectious than its predecessor, JN.1, it has shown lower overall infectivity. Symptoms are similar to the JN.1 variant, including sore throat, runny nose, coughing, and fever. Safety measures such as wearing masks, practising hand hygiene, and maintaining physical distancing remain crucial to prevent the spread of these variants and mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
