Scientists have raised the alarm over a new COVID-19 variant, KP.3, which is driving up hospital admissions throughout the UK. Emerging in early April 2024, the KP.3 variant belongs to a new group of COVID-19 variants known as FLiRT. The Mirror reports that KP.3 has quickly become a significant concern.
Rising Hospital Admissions
The highest hospital admission rate for confirmed COVID-19 continues to be among those aged over 85 years. According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), hospital admissions rose by 24 percent in the week leading up to Sunday, increasing from 2.67 people per 100,000 to 3.31 per 100,000. This spike in hospitalizations is largely attributed to the KP.3 variant, which has almost doubled UK infections to 44 percent in under two weeks.
The FLiRT Variants
The name “FLiRT” was inspired by the mutations in the genetic code of these variants. They are spin-offs from the JN.1 variant, which could transmit efficiently through an extra one or two mutations. As of April, three strings of the FLiRT variant—KP.1.1, KP.3, and KP.2—have been responsible for 40 percent of all COVID cases in the UK. KP.2, which drove a wave of infections in May, has since passed the baton to KP.3, now the dominant variant.
Symptoms and Unusual Presentations
KP.3 shares many symptoms with previous variants, including fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, headache, muscle aches, difficulty breathing, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, “brain fog,” and gastrointestinal symptoms. However, an unusual symptom associated with KP.3 has been reported: increased sensitivity to light, which has not been commonly observed in earlier variants. This photophobia has added a new dimension to the clinical presentation of COVID-19 and is something healthcare professionals are closely monitoring.
Protective Measures
To combat the spread and severity of the KP.3 variant, health experts recommend vaccination. Rosa Norman, a spokesperson for the CDC, suggests that everyone aged six months and older get the 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness.
As the KP.3 variant spreads across the UK, its impact on hospital admissions and the appearance of unusual symptoms like increased sensitivity to light underscore the importance of vigilance and vaccination. The situation remains fluid, and health authorities continue to monitor and respond to this evolving threat.
