KUWAIT CITY, May 19: The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the new Coronavirus variant ‘FLiRT’ as the most contagious and dangerous in the world, especially with the expected rise in air temperature this year. In an exclusive statement to the daily, Internal Diseases and Epidemiology Consultant at Adan Hospital Dr. Ghanem Al-Hujailan clarified that the entry of ‘FLiRT’ into the country is inevitable, coinciding with the return of students from abroad and the start of the travel and summer season. He said it is expected to appear in Kuwait in the middle of June.

Al-Hujailan pointed out this variant is way different from Omicron, because it is more contagious and resistant to vaccination as a result of numerous mutations in its genetic chain. He said the antibodies formed through repeated infections made it more resistant to vaccination, so it is considered one of the most evasive variants. He confirmed there is no danger at present, so there is no reason for fear and anxiety and it is not necessary to take additional preventive measures; because ‘FLiRT’ is like the rest of the Corona variants and the same mechanism will be used to deal with it. He added the symptoms of infection are the same as those of previous variants -- high fever, congestion in the upper part of the respiratory system and other known influenza symptoms; but it is more contagious and resistant to vaccination, which means those who have been vaccinated are also at risk of infection.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff