New COVID Sub-variant KP.2 on the Rise in Thailand

[webfact]

 

Thailand is witnessing a swift rise in cases of the COVID-19 KP.2 sub-variant, a mutation overtaking the previously prevalent JN.1 strain. Dr Yong Poovorawan, leading the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University, highlighted the situation on his Facebook page earlier today.

 

“The KP.2 sub-variant, also known as FLi RT, is outcompeting the JN.1 strain, which had been dominant since late last year. While the current vaccines developed against the XBB.1.5 strain show limited effectiveness against this new mutation, it’s crucial not to panic,” Dr Yong commented. 

 

Background checks reveal that KP.2, a mutation sprouting from JN.1, is more transmissible and shows an enhanced ability to evade immune responses. Despite these changes, the severity of symptoms remains comparable to previously circulating variants. 

 

Dr Yong Poovorawan. File photo: courtesy: Chulalongkorn University

 

What’s causing concern among medical professionals is the rapid pace at which KP.2 is spreading. Dr Yong predicts it will become the dominant variant in the country shortly. “The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already asked vaccine manufacturers to adapt their formulations to tackle the JN.1 variant. However, the virus has swiftly mutated to KP.2, making it challenging for vaccine developers to keep up,” he noted.

 

This rapid evolution underscores the agility of the coronavirus and the ongoing challenge for vaccine developers to adapt. The KP.2 sub-variant’s ability to bypass immunity highlights the pressing need for continuous surveillance and agile vaccine development. 

 

As health authorities race to adjust their strategies, the public is advised to maintain standard precautions – wearing masks, practising physical distancing and observing good hygiene. The coming days will be crucial as experts monitor the variant's impact and strategise measures to contain its spread effectively. 

Stay tuned for further updates and expert insights into this evolving situation.

 

File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

-- 2024-06-17

 

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[Jan Scooter]

Caronie balony

[englishoak]

Oh no... quick panic.. 

[milesinnz]

I wonder if AIDS had occurred in a time of mass media and the Internet, if it would have been dismissed in the vein as people dismiss COVID ? In terms of fear.. the world is consumed by fear.. there is a difference between being informed and being fearful..

[AsiaTraveler1234]

7 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Agreed, but I do mask up in crowded places... never know what other germs people are carrying.

Unless your mask is N95 or better, my understanding is that masks do not prevent you from getting COVID but rather from spreading it to others.

[hotchilli]

1 minute ago, AsiaTraveler1234 said:

Unless your mask is N95 or better, my understanding is that masks do not prevent you from getting COVID but rather from spreading it to others.

I wasn't talking about Covid.

[Ben Zioner]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite these changes, the severity of symptoms remains comparable to previously circulating variants. 

The PM being an exception...

[Ben Zioner]

5 minutes ago, AsiaTraveler1234 said:

Unless your mask is N95 or better, my understanding is that masks do not prevent you from getting COVID but rather from spreading it to others.

Correct, so masks should be mandatory situations were some people are particularly exposed. For instance last week at Rutnin they handed out masks at the reception. Their highly skilled staff is in close contact with dozens of potential carriers every day.

[Ben Zioner]

12 minutes ago, milesinnz said:

I wonder if AIDS had occurred in a time of mass media and the Internet, if it would have been dismissed in the vein as people dismiss COVID ? In terms of fear.. the world is consumed by fear.. there is a difference between being informed and being fearful..

Maybe our days we would be able to prevent AIDS to spread amongst the normal population?

[MrJ2U]

Uh oh!

 

Any mention of any potentially deadly virus outbreak brings out the Q-anon conspiracy theorists.

 

Ugh!

 

 

[MrJ2U]

52 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

No need to have any fear of this.

I don't know of anyone that has "fear' of it.  

 

Getting sick with any virus sucks, getting COVID or infleluenza for some is fatal or dehabilitating.  

 

Precautions ate warranted.

 

 

[Boedog]

Sub variant know as FLIRT, isn't that in walking street or soi cowboy, quick everyone panic stock up on masks, food. Just stop it no one cares for the lies and deception we done with it

[Hotpepper53]

2 minutes ago, MrJ2U said:

Uh oh!

 

Any mention of any potentially deadly virus outbreak brings out the Q-anon conspiracy theorists.

 

Ugh!

 

 

There is “Q” (believed to be Military)… and “Anons”(people who follow/read Q)… there is no “Q-anon…..who said it was a potentially deadly and a outbreak… using “fear mongering” does not educate the public… 

 

Just a little research will educate…instead of being led by the media…

[Mike Lister]

You can doubt what you want but we visited Bangkok last week and contracted the new strain on what appears to be the first day. Even with antivirals, we've both been extremely sick for several days and are only now starting to recover. It's a nasty bug, the second time for us, despite five vaccinations.

[Aussie999]

38 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I wasn't talking about Covid.

In case you missed it, this article is about covid  best to keep responses relevant. 

[MrJ2U]

8 minutes ago, Hotpepper53 said:

There is “Q” (believed to be Military)… and “Anons”(people who follow/read Q)… there is no “Q-anon…..who said it was a potentially deadly and a outbreak… using “fear mongering” does not educate the public… 

 

Just a little research will educate…instead of being led by the media…

It's natural to keep the public updated on deadly viruses.

 

You're the only one who is "fearful".

 

Get a backbone.

 

 

[zakalwe]

59 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Agreed, but I do mask up in crowded places... never know what other germs people are carrying.

Plus some people are disgusting and will cough or sneeze right into your face. Apparently it is common in Europe.

[MrJ2U]

10 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

You can doubt what you want but we visited Bangkok last week and contracted the new strain on what appears to be the first day. Even with antivirals, we've both been extremely sick for several days and are only now starting to recover. It's a nasty bug, the second time for us, despite five vaccinations.

The third time we had it was the worst.   Always starts with a terrible headache and extreme tiredness.

 

Much harder since we've got kids and elderly relatives to worry about.

 

Inevitable that many people will get it again as it's so contagious and school season is in full swing.

[Stargeezr]

I will wear my KN95 mask for both Bangkok bad air days, and if I have the sniffles I wear my mask so others do not get my 

cold or flu. I do not care what the Thailand or other parts of the World,  anti maskers say.

Harvey M

[Eddy Bro]

1 hour ago, Ben Zioner said:

Maybe our days we would be able to prevent AIDS to spread amongst the normal population?

Define "normal population" please....

[cdnvic]

Removed some misinformation, that is not welcome here, as well as posts replying/quoting it.

 

There's plenty of places to talk medical conspiracy theories. Aseannow is not one of them.

[SenorTashi]

1 minute ago, MrJ2U said:

Sounds like you've lost the people closest to you for nothing

I haven't lost anyone. 

1 minute ago, MrJ2U said:

Perhaps lay off the conspiracy websites

Perhaps try thinking for yourself?

Hey here's an idea. Why not roll out the tinfoil hat joke...I love that one... Lol, Lmao even.

[dinsdale]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Background checks reveal that KP.2, a mutation sprouting from JN.1, is more transmissible and shows an enhanced ability to evade immune responses. Despite these changes, the severity of symptoms remains comparable to previously circulating variants. 

i.e. a non-severe viral infection akin to the common cold and the flu. Said before and I'll say it again. This is Omicron doing what Omicron does. Evolve This will continue. 

[BKKBike09]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

the current vaccines developed against the XBB.1.5 strain show limited effectiveness against this new mutation,

 

So, what, have a shot of vaccine every time there's a new variant, understanding that it may, however, not protect against the next variant to become dominant, which will be even more transmissible (hence how it becomes dominant). 

 

 

[RobU]

It is more easily transmissible 

Usually the more easily transmissible (virulent) the less severe the symptoms. However, from what some people have said on this forum, this strain can be quite debilitating. So I will definitely be avoiding Bangkok, which is where it seems to be prevalent. Thank god I'm in sleepy rural Issan our village wasn't affected during the pandemic. 

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, MrJ2U said:

It's natural to keep the public updated on deadly viruses.

 

You're the only one who is "fearful".

 

Get a backbone.

 

 

Deadly? Not anymore. It's Omicron and has been for years and for the very vast majority mild and not deadly. Please supply i.e. source any information that shows this to be deadly. Even the article says it's mild.

12 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Despite these changes, the severity of symptoms remains comparable to previously circulating variants.

i.e. non-severe/mild for the overwhelming majority of people. 

Edited June 17 by dinsdale

[Ben Zioner]

5 minutes ago, BKKBike09 said:

So, what, have a shot of vaccine every time there's a new variant, understanding that it may, however, not protect against the next variant to become dominant, which will be even more transmissible (hence how it becomes dominant). 

While I tend to see anti-vaxxers as dumb & dumber I agree with your post, it seems that OMICRON outruns vaccine developers.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

12 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Deadly? Not anymore. It's Omicron and has been for years and for the very vast majority mild and not deadly. Please supply i.e. source any information that shows this to be deadly

 

Since you asked... the latest weekly COVID update is out today from the Thai MoPH:

 

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/?dashboard=main

 

The Thai Ministry of Public Health on Monday reported another week of worsening COVID conditions in the country, as weekly new COVID hospitalizations rose again to 2,881, the highest level of the past year, and new deaths and COVID cases currently hospitalized in serious condition both increased as well.

 

The new COVID status report for last week June 9-15 shows new COVID hospitalizations rising 4.3% from 2,762 two weeks ago to an average of 412 per day. The weekly counts of new COVID hospitalizations now have risen week-over-week for 13 of the past 14 weeks since mid-March, when the tally stood at 501.

 

Also in the latest report, COVID deaths rose from 5 to 7 over the past two weeks. The count of COVID patients currently hospitalized in serious condition rose 12.8% from 663 two weeks ago to 748 last week, and hit its highest level since late August 2022 when that count was 763.

 

(more)

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1326140-hospitalizations-climb-in-thailands-spring-2024-covid-surge/?do=findComment&comment=18995834

 

Cumulative COVID hospitalizations in Thailand thus far this year -- 26,126

 

Cumulative COVID deaths in Thailand thus far this year -- 144

 

Of the 7 newly reported COVID deaths for last week, two were in the age 20-49 range, per the Thai MoPH.

 

 

Edited June 17 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[dinsdale]

1 minute ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Since you asked... the latest weekly COVID update is out today from the Thai MoPH:

 

 

 

The Thai Ministry of Public Health on Monday reported another week of worsening COVID conditions in the country, as weekly new COVID hospitalizations rose again to 2,881, the highest level of the past year, and new deaths and COVID cases currently hospitalized in serious condition both increased as well.

 

The new COVID status report for last week June 9-15 shows new COVID hospitalizations rising 4.3% from 2,762 two weeks ago to an average of 412 per day. The weekly counts of new COVID hospitalizations now have risen week-over-week for 13 of the past 14 weeks since mid-March, when the tally stood at 501.

 

Also in the latest report, COVID deaths rose from 5 to 7 over the past two weeks. The count of COVID patients currently hospitalized in serious condition rose 12.8% from 663 two weeks ago to 748 last week, and hit its highest level since late August 2022 when that count was 763.

 

(more)

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1326140-hospitalizations-climb-in-thailands-spring-2024-covid-surge/?do=findComment&comment=18995834

 

 

Very low numbers for a population of around 70,000,000. Again we don't know of existent comorbidities. The common cold can be deadly for those who are immunocompromised. This new variant as explained in the article has not changed in it's severity. It remains non-severe for those not at risk i.e. the majority of the population.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

8 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

This new variant as explained in the article has not changed in it's severity. It remains non-severe for those not at risk i.e. the majority of the population.

 

When new weekly COVID hospitalizations have gone from 501 in mid-March to 2,881 as of last week, and are at their highest level in the past year, I'd certainly say something substantial is going on.  Lots of people ending up hospitalized with COVID, and almost 750 of them as of today's update listed in "serious" condition.

 

Meanwhile, I guess we'll just have to wonder whether and how the two COVID deaths reported for last week in the 20-49 age range were or weren't within your definition of "at risk."