Emerging Covid Strains Spark Renewed Concerns

• 19 Aug 2024

Source: TH

Recently, the central government has attributed the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in India to two strains, KP.1 and KP.2.

• These strains are categorised under the “FLiRT” group and have evolved from the JN1 Omicron variant.
• These are highly transmissible, causing mild symptoms such as fever, cold, cough, sore throat, body ache, and fatigue.
• KP.2 was classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Variant Under Monitoring.
• Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
  • COVISHIELD, Covaxin and  AstraZeneca were among the recommended vaccines for Covid-19 in India.

Government Measures to Monitor the Spread of New Strains:

• The Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) under the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been implemented in all 36 States/UTs and sanctioning Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories across India to improve virus detection and research.
• Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-A BHIM)

Read More: WHO Designates JN.1 as Variant of Interest as Covid-19 Cases Rise