There are 10 subtypes of coronavirus circulating in Ukraine, including the new FLiRT strain - Kuzin
Kyiv • UNN
At least 10 subtypes of coronavirus have been detected in Ukraine, including the new FLiRT strain. The number of cases has increased over the past month, but no epidemic is expected. The vaccine remains effective against all variants.
As of today, there are at least 10 different subtypes of coronavirus circulating in Ukraine, including the FLiRT strain, which was registered for the first time in the world in March this year. The number of cases has increased in the country over the past month, but there are no predictions about the possibility of an epidemic. Deputy Minister of Health, Chief Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine Ihor Kuzin told this to Suspilne, UNN reports.
"The spread of the new strain coincides with the global trend. SARS-CoV-2 is constantly mutating. As of now, at least 10 different subtypes or subvariants of the strain are circulating in Ukraine. All these strains have different characteristics. And the last one that was identified in Ukraine is the FLiRT strain, which was registered for the first time in the world in March this year," he said.
The chief medical officer noted that the United States reported an average 20% increase in the incidence. Approximately the same figures are recorded in the UK.
According to Kuzin, FLiRT has certain features.
"People who have immune system problems, immunocompromised state or concomitant non-communicable diseases are more likely to get sick and even to get sick again with covid. A person who does not have a full course of vaccinations is also more likely to get covid again," the official said.
He noted that so far there are no reports that the new strain is either too dangerous or causes any severe complications or severe type of disease.
"As of today, the symptoms remain the same. The only typical characteristic is that at the beginning of the disease there is a significant increase in temperature, which is quite difficult to bring down, but cases often go away without pneumonia," Kuzin said.
The chief sanitary doctor noted that the vaccine remains effective because the country is now using an Omicron-specific vaccine that is active against the entire type of Omicron strain, regardless of which subtypes or subvariants are circulating.