MUMBAI: The state has identified 91 cases of the new Covid-19 Omicron subvariant KP.2 that has outpaced the previously circulating JN.1 variant and is now driving cases in several countries. Pune has reported 51 cases and Thane 20 cases of KP.2, which was first detected globally in January.
Maharashtra identified KP.2 cases as early as January. By March and April, it became the dominant strain in the region. However, there hasn’t been any proportionate increase in hospitalizations or serious cases, said Dr Rajesh Karyakarte, state’s genome sequencing coordinator.
KP.2 descended from JN.1, which was the predominant Covid strain towards the end of 2023. In March, Maharashtra experienced a slight surge in cases, averaging around 250 detections, which is likely attributable to the spread of the KP.2 variant.
Currently, KP.2 is the dominant variant in the US. However, their laboratory data too indicates low levels of SARS-CoV-2 transmission overall at this time, suggesting that while KP.2 may be the most predominant variant, it is not causing a massive increase in infections. KP.2 is a part of a larger group known as the FLiRT variants, which are offshoots of Omicron and get their name from spike protein mutations.
KP.2 will gradually spread to every part of the world, but we don’t foresee any potential major threat. Its behavior is likely to be the same as JN.1, Dr Karyakarte added. Maharashtra has 41 active Covid-19 cases currently. The state on Saturday detected four new cases out of 374 tests carried out. The weekly average case count is now hovering between 41 – 50.
Besides Pune and Thane, seven cases each have been identified from Amravati and Aurangabad. Solapur has reported two cases, while Ahmednagar, Nashik, Latur, and Sangli have reported one case each of the KP.2 variant. No cases have been identified from Mumbai.
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has detected 232 cases of KP.2 and 30 cases of KP1.1 circulating in India, as of May 6.
