1. What is the KP.2 variant?
KP.2 is the third-generation subclade of the Omicron JN.1 variant of the novel coronavirus and a subclade of the JN.1 variant with a strong transmissibility advantage, which was first detected in samples collected in India on January 2, 2024. Since February, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed KP.2 as a "variant requiring surveillance" on May 3 due to the rapid growth in the proportion of KP.2 in the global circulating strain. At present, there are no reports that the pathogenicity and immune escape ability of KP.2 are significantly changed compared with the currently circulating JN.1 variant.
2. What is the international prevalence of the KP.2 variant?
At present, the JN.1 variant is still the dominant circulating strain in the world. Since the beginning of this year, the proportion of the KP.2 subclade in the global circulating strains has gradually increased, from 0.16% in early January to about 14% in early May. Recently, the prevalence of KP.2 subclades in some countries is relatively high, accounting for 10%~30%.
3. Has the KP.2 variant started to circulate in the mainland?
JN.1, JN.1.16 and JN.1.4 are the top three dominant strains in mainland China at this stage, and the KP.2 variant was first detected from local cases in Guangdong on March 11. As of May 12, a total of 25 KP.2 sequences have been monitored in mainland China. The proportion of KP.2 in the local sequences reported weekly was between 0.05%~0.30%, which was at a very low level.
4. Does the KP.2 variant spread faster?
Two of the new mutation sites in KP.2 were located in S protein, suggesting that it had stronger transmissibility. However, KP.2 is still a subclade of the JN.1 variant, and existing studies suggest that its transmissibility advantage will not be significantly improved compared with other subclades of the JN.1 variant. Experts believe that considering the extremely low proportion of the current KP.2 subclade infection cases in the mainland, and the previous epidemic caused by JN.1 in the mainland has been reduced to a low level, the possibility of the KP.2 subclade becoming the dominant epidemic strain in the mainland in the short term is low, and the possibility of triggering a new infection peak is low.
5. How to prevent KP.2 variant infection?
As with the prevention of infection with other Omicron variants, the public is advised to continue to maintain good personal hygiene, wear masks scientifically, adhere to regular work and rest, ensure a healthy diet, and improve immunity.
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Source: Department of Surveillance and Early Warning, National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention
Editor: Liu Xiaoyu | Review ▪ and Producer: Yang Yong
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