Symptoms, spread, infections, latest data from CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it is monitoring the new COVID variant KP.3 as data shows it is dominant in the United States.

“CDC is monitoring SARS-CoV-2 variant KP.3. For the two-week period ending June 8, 2024, CDC predicts that KP.3 is growing and will become the most prevalent SARS-CoV-2 lineage nationwide,” CDC spokesperson Rosa Norman said in a statement to USA TODAY. “(Our agency) is working to better understand its potential impact on public health.”

For the two-week period starting May 26 and ending June 8, government agency data shows that KP.3 accounts for 25% of COVID cases in the US and is now the dominant variant. This beats the previous frontrunner, the JN.1 variant, which spread worldwide last winter. KP.2 comes right after KP.3 and now accounts for 22.5% of cases.

The CDC is using the Nowcast data tracker to project the COVID variants over a two-week period. The tool is used to help estimate the current prevalence of variants, but does not predict the future spread of the virus, the CDC said.

Although the predictions for KP.3 have been prominently featured in the Nowcast data, the CDC wants the public to know that infection rates may be lower than we expect.

“Currently, KP.3 viruses are estimated to account for between 16% and 37% of all SARS-CoV-2 viruses in the United States,” Norman said. “Most key COVID-19 indicators show low levels of activity nationally, therefore the overall number of infections this line could cause is likely low.”

Norman also said the number of COVID-related deaths and hospitalizations remains low since March 2020.

Here’s what the CDC wants you to know about the KP.3 variant.

COVID variant you need to know: KP.3 now makes up 25% of COVID cases

What is the KP.3 variant?

Like JN.1 and “FLiRT” variants KP.1.1 and KP.2, KP.3 is a similar species. Norman explains that the KP.3 variant is “a sublineage of the JN.1 lineage” that comes from the Omicron variant.

“KP.3 evolved from JN.1, the main viral lineage circulating since December 2023,” Norman said. “It is very similar to JN.1 and has only two peak changes compared to JN.1.”

What are symptoms of KP.3?

Norman says the symptoms associated with KP.3 are identical to those of JN.1. They contain:

Fever or chills
Cough
A sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Headache
muscle strain
Difficulty breathing
Fatigue
New loss of taste or smell
“Brain fog” (feeling less awake and aware)
Gastrointestinal symptoms (stomach upset, mild diarrhea, vomiting)

The CDC notes that the list does not include all possible symptoms and that symptoms may change with new variants and vary from person to person.

In general, the agency says people with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe illness. Symptoms may appear two to fourteen days after exposure.

What changes in the infection rate have been observed with the KP.3 variant?

Norman explained how the KP.3 has two peaks, the infection rate, unlike the JN.1 variant.

“One of the two peak changes was observed in recent earlier lines, including XBB.1.5 lines, which were dominant throughout 2023 and formed the basis for the 2023-2024 vaccine formulation,” she said. “The second of the two changes was observed in some viruses that were circulating in the fall of 2021, but not since.”

How can we protect ourselves if we are concerned about the KP.3 variant?

Norman proposes that everyone six months and older receive the COVID-19 vaccine by 2023-2024. She said the vaccine will help protect against severe illness from COVID.

When will the next Nowcast predictions be available?

Norman said the next forecast, which will cover a two-week period from June 9 to June 22, will be available on the CDC website on June 22 on the COVID Data Tracker.

The fall COVID vaccine will target JN.1

The dominant emergence of the KP.3 variant follows an FDA panel meeting last week to discuss updates to a COVID vaccine for the fall.

At the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, health experts from vaccine makers Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax told the panel they were prepared to make JN.1-targeted vaccines available in August pending FDA approval.

The updated vaccines are expected to be released in the fall, ahead of the expected winter surge in COVID-19 cases.

“The FDA and CDC are working together to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines remain effective against current viruses,” Norman said.

Contributions: Eduardo Cuevas, Gabe Hauari

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter for USA TODAY’s National Trending Team. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, stories on crime, health, lotteries and public policy. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter).