A new COVID-19 variant, KP.3, is rapidly becoming the dominant strain in the United States, now accounting for 25% of cases. This variant has outpaced the previously dominant JN.1 variant, which now makes up 22.5% of cases. KP.3 is noted for its high immune evasion capabilities and has been particularly impactful in regions like Hawaii, where COVID-19 cases are rising, according to Hawaii News Now. Despite the emergence of KP.3, the FDA has decided to proceed with a JN.1 vaccine, although companies have indicated readiness with a KP.2 vaccine. Virological studies show that KP.3 has a relative effective reproduction number greater than 1.2 times that of JN.1, indicating its higher transmissibility. Other variants such as KP.2.3 and LB.1 are also being monitored.
“In that light, Michigan’s aggressive active surveillance program should be taken to mean that the virus might be spreading undetected in other states.” https://t.co/5f3qLxnVVa
virological features of KP.2. virological properties of KP.3, LB.1, KP.2.3. relative effective reproduction number (Re) of KP.3, LB.1, KP.2.3; Re of KP.3 is >1.2x⬆️ than that of JN.1 &⬆️ than or comparable to that of KP.2 in these countries. Re values of LB.1 and KP.2.3 are even…
"JN.1 and KP.2-like viruses, they're really, really on top of each other. And KP.3 is very close, but not absolutely on top of it," https://t.co/5U0IQ7wQ24
Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 KP.3, LB.1 and KP.2.3 variants; SARSCoV2 JN.1 variant (BA.2.86.1.1), arising from BA.2.86.1 with substitution in spike (S) protein, S:L455S, exhib⬆️ fitness, outcompeted prev predominant XBB lineages, https://t.co/To7mJ0o8IH
“KP.3 accounts for 25% of COVID cases in the U.S. and is now the dominant variant. This knocks down previous frontrunner, the JN.1 variant, which spread globally last winter, and now makes up 22.5% of cases.” https://t.co/ZOnVQtlyP1
“There's another COVID variant you should know about: KP.3 now makes up 25% of COVID cases.” https://t.co/DEh2HZuLVi
The dominant #SARSCoV2 variant in the US will soon be KP.3. A KP.2 vaccine induced >3-fold neutralizing titers vs KP.3 compared w/ a JN.1 vaccine (mice) 2 companies asserted they would be ready with a KP.2 vaccine But the FDA is going with a JN.1 vaccine https://t.co/HKUoetRn7w https://t.co/BsGLhjIbuQ
🤔COVID cases rising in Hawaii as new variants infiltrate the islands "These new variants are just very immune-evasive." Source: Hawaii News Now https://t.co/6BR3uXaRQW
There's another #COVID variant. KP.3 now makes up 25% of COVID cases. https://t.co/CPszMpuCVJ
There's another COVID variant you should know about: What CDC data says about KP.3 https://t.co/aloY8uf9VB