DOH detects KP.2 subvariant of COVID-19 in PH

The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Tuesday that the KP.2 subvariant of COVID-19, part of the 'FLiRT' variants, has been detected in the Philippines.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian pushed for the creation of a Center for Disease Control and Prevention to respond to public health crises such as pandemics after the DOH's detection of KP.2 and other Omicron subvariants.

Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo noted that genome sequencing data by the University of the Philippines - Philippine Genome Center showed two cases of KP.2, 30 cases of JN.1, and two cases of JN.1.18 as of May 2024, with no significant change to previous reports.

KP.2 is a variant under monitoring (VUM) by the World Health Organization (WHO), aligning with international observations that new VUMs are clinically mild and manageable.

Domingo also stated on Wednesday that there were no unique symptoms observed for KP.2, which include fever, cough, colds, fatigue - similar to flu and common cold.