Cases of new variants of Corona are increasing rapidly in many countries. Within the last month, a surge in the number of infected people has been seen in India too. According to information shared by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), more than 325 cases of the new variant FLiRT have been reported so far. Cases of the deadly variant KP.2, which increases the risks of corona in Singapore, are also increasing in India, for which there is a need to continue to be cautious.
According to preliminary information about the new variant shared by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Filarte is also a variant of the Omicron variant. Its nature is also seen to be similar to the earlier variants. Some new mutations in Filart make it easier to enter the body and increase infection.
Health experts have advised all people to continue taking precautions to prevent corona.
Corona cases reported in which states?
According to the information shared by INSACOG, the highest number of cases of this new variant of Corona have been reported in Maharashtra. 148 cases infected with this new variant have been identified in Maharashtra. After this, 36 people have been found infected in West Bengal. 23 people in Gujarat, 21 in Rajasthan, 17 in Odisha, 16 in Uttarakhand, 12 in Goa, 8 in Uttar Pradesh, 4 in Karnataka, 3 in Haryana, and one each in Madhya Pradesh and Delhi were identified as infected with the new variant. Has been.
Let us know important things about this new variant.
1. This new variant found in waste water
According to information shared by the CDC, this new variant of Corona was identified for the first time during the examination of wastewater. So far, cases have been seen in many countries including Singapore, Canada, the United Kingdom, and India.
Singapore is the country most affected by this new variant. According to local reports, more than two-thirds of cases in Singapore currently are related to this variant. As of 3 May, the World Health Organization has classified KP.2 as a 'Variant Under Monitoring'.
2. What was found out about the Filart variant?
According to a Yale Medicine report, there are some mutations in the spike protein of the Filart variant that may increase its infectiousness. Experts say that these mutations enable the virus to easily dodge the immunity built in the human body. Some experts believe that at the rate at which this new variant is growing, it may soon overtake Omicron's JN.1. The highest number of JN.1 cases were seen during winter.
How to protect against the new variant?
Dr. Scott Roberts, an expert in infectious diseases at Yale Medicine, says that to avoid the risks of this new variant of Corona, it is important to continue following COVID-19 Appropriate Behavior. It is necessary to continue taking measures like wearing masks, social distancing and hand hygiene. Dr. Roberts says vaccination is still the most effective way to protect against corona. The latest Covid vaccines may help reduce complications caused by new variants.
(PC: ISTOCK)