KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2 dominant in Thailand: virologist

June 17, 2024 | 15:56

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Thailand’s leading virologist Prof. Yong Poovorawan has warned that KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2 is rapidly supplanting the JN.1 strain, which held sway in Thailand since late last year.

KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2 dominant in Thailand: virologist

A health professional prepares a COVID-19 vaccine shot at parliament in May last year. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Bangkok – Thailand’s leading virologist Prof. Yong Poovorawan has warned that KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2 is rapidly supplanting the JN.1 strain, which held sway in Thailand since late last year.

On his Facebook post, he said the vaccines waging war against COVID-19 were originally designed to combat the XBB.1.5 strain, noting they don’t work to KP.2.

The virologist said the KP.2 sub-variant, or FLi RT, a mutation of the JN.1 variant, is more transmissible and more capable of evading the immune system, but its symptoms are no more severe than the variant JN.1. He predicted KP.2 will soon be dominant in Thailand.

Previously, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended the development of next-gen vaccines to address JN.1. Yet, just as these efforts were underway, KP.2 entered the ring, mutating at a pace that keeps virologists on their toes.

It’s difficult for vaccine producers to keep pace with such a nimble opponent.

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By VNA

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