A new covid variant, identified as KP.1 and KP.2, has sparked concerns in India, with official data reporting 290 cases of KP.2 and 34 cases of KP.1 across the country. However, a source from the Union health ministry reassured that these variants are actually sub-variants of JN1, emphasizing that there’s no significant rise in hospitalizations or severe cases associated with them. The source highlighted the rapid mutation rate of viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and assured that India’s surveillance system, INSACOG, is capable of detecting any emergence of new variants.
According to data compiled by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), West Bengal has recorded the highest number of KP.1 cases, with 23 instances reported. Other states and union territories also reported cases, with Maharashtra leading in KP.2 cases at 148. States like Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal have also reported cases of both sub-lineages.
The surge in cases in Singapore, primarily driven by KP.1 and KP.2 variants, has raised global concerns. These variants, part of the FLiRT group, are descendants of the JN.1 variant, an offshoot of the Omicron variant. While KP.2 has been classified as a Variant Under Monitoring by the World Health Organization, JN.1 and its sub-lineages remain predominant globally.
The reassurance from health authorities regarding the relatively stable situation in India amidst the emergence of these new covid variant underscores the importance of robust surveillance systems and continued vigilance against the evolving nature of the virus.