The Centers for Disease Control said it is tracking a new COVID variant called KP.3 as data shows its dominance across the United States.
“CDC is tracking the SARS-CoV-2 variant KP.3. For the two weeks ending June 8, 2024, CDC projects that KP.3 will spread and become the most common SARS-CoV-2 lineage nationwide,” CDC spokesperson Rosa Norman said in a statement to USA Today. “(The agency) is working to better understand its potential public health impact.”
According to government data, KP.3 accounted for 25% of COVID-19 cases in the United States during the two-week period from May 26 to June 8, making it the currently predominant variant. This makes the JN.1 variant, which spread around the world last winter, the leading candidate so far. KP.2 is second only to KP.3 and currently accounts for 22.5% of cases.
The CDC is using its Nowcast data tracker to project COVID variants out over a two-week period. The tool is used to estimate the current prevalence of variants, but does not predict the future spread of the virus, the CDC said.
While the KP.3 projection figures prominently in the Nowcast data, CDC wants the public to know that infection rates may be lower than expected.
“KP.3 viruses are currently estimated to account for 16% to 37% of all SARS-CoV-2 viruses in the United States,” Norman said. “Because most key indicators of COVID-19 show low levels of activity nationwide, the total number of infections caused by this lineage is likely low.”
Norman also said COVID-related deaths and hospitalizations have remained low since March 2020.
Here’s what the CDC wants you to know about the KP.3 variant.
COVID variants to know about:KP.3 currently accounts for 25% of COVID cases.
What is the KP.3 variant?
Like JN.1 and the “FLiRT” mutants KP.1.1 and KP.2, KP.3 is a similar lineage. Norman explains that the KP.3 mutant is a “sublineage of the JN.1 lineage” that is derived from the Omicron mutant.
“KP.3 evolved from JN.1, the major virus lineage circulating since December 2023,” Norman said. “It is very similar to JN.1, with only two spike changes compared to JN.1.”
What are the symptoms of KP.3?
Norman said the symptoms associated with KP.3 are identical to those of JN.1. Symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- cough
- sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- headache
- muscle pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Malaise
- New loss of taste or smell
- “Brain fog” (waking up feeling semi-conscious)
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (upset stomach, mild diarrhea, vomiting)
The CDC notes that this list is not all-inclusive and symptoms may change with the new variant and may vary from person to person.
According to the agency, people with COVID-19 typically experience symptoms ranging from mild to severe, which can appear two to 14 days after infection.
What changes in transmissibility have you seen with the KP.3 variant?
Norman explained that KP.3 differs from the JN.1 variant in that it has two spikes, also known as transmissibility.
“One of the two surge changes was observed in recent early lineages, including the XBB.1.5 lineage that was dominant throughout 2023 and was the basis of the 2023-2024 vaccine formulation,” she said. “The second of the two changes was observed in some viruses circulating in the fall of 2021 but has not been observed since.”
If I’m concerned about the KP.3 variant, how can I protect myself?
Norman is encouraging everyone aged six months and older to get the COVID-19 vaccination for 2023 to 2024. He said the vaccine helps prevent severe illness from COVID.
When will the next nowcast forecast be available?
Norman said the next projections, covering the two-week period from June 9 to June 22, will be available on the CDC’s COVID data tracker on its website on June 22.
COVID fall vaccine targets JN.1
The emergence of the dominant KP.3 variant comes on the heels of an FDA committee meeting to discuss COVID vaccine updates for the fall.
At the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, medical experts from vaccine manufacturers Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax Inc. each told the committee they are prepared to make vaccines targeting JN.1 available in August, pending FDA approval.
The improved vaccine is expected to be released in the fall as a rise in COVID-19 cases is expected over the winter.
“The FDA and CDC are working together to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines remain effective against the current virus,” Norman said.
Contributors: Eduardo Cuevas and Gabe Haouari
Ajane Forbes is a reporter for USA Today’s National Trends team. Ajane covers breaking news, auto recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy. Email her at email addressInstagram, Threads, and X (Twitter).
