New COVID variant LB.1 raises health agencies’ concern
A new COVID variant LB.1 has emerged and is spreading rapidly in the US. The LB.1 variant currently accounts for 17.5% of new COVID cases, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Friday.
It is speculated that the new variant may surpass KP.3 or LB.1 and cause more severe illness. “CDC spokesman David Daigle stated that the agency will keep monitoring SARS-CoV-2 variants and is striving to comprehend their potential impact on public health more thoroughly.”
Cases of the LB.1 variant are increasing in California and HHS Region 2, which includes New York and New Jersey. According to the report, LB.1 is very similar to KP.3, the JN.1 variant.
However, unlike KP.2 and KP.3, LB.1 has an extra mutation (S: S31del) in addition to the substitutions found in KP.2 and KP.3, which classify them as ‘FLiRT’ variants.
Variants with this deletion, like LB.1, may occasionally be called “deFLiRT.” This term signifies that the variant possesses the same mutations as other FLiRT variants, along with the additional deletion.
Is the LB.1 COVID variant serious?
The CDC has denied any new evidence that would confirm that the LB.1 variant may be more severe than previously thought. “However, a study by scientists in Japan, which is still awaiting peer review, suggests that one of LB.1’s mutations might enhance its ability to spread more quickly.”. This mutation is absent in the KP.3 and JN.1 variants.
Origin and Spread
LB.1 was initially detected in early June and has since been reported in over a dozen countries, spanning multiple continents. Health officials have noted that the variant appears to have a higher transmission rate compared to previous strains, which has led to an increase in COVID-19 cases in regions where it is present.
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Epidemiologists are working around the clock to trace the origins of LB.1 and understand its transmission dynamics. Preliminary data suggest that the variant may have originated from a mutation in a previously circulating strain, although this has yet to be confirmed.
Characteristics and Concerns
What sets LB.1 apart from previous variants is its unique genetic profile. Scientists have identified several mutations in the spike protein of the virus, which is responsible for its ability to infect human cells. These mutations might make the virus more adept at evading the immune system, raising concerns about vaccine efficacy.
