Japan Finds New Covid Variant in Passengers from Brazil

Japan’s Health Ministry has claimed that a new coronavirus variant has been detected. This new mutation of the novel coronavirus has been found in four travellers from Amazonas, the largest state in Brazil. 

According to ministry officials, the new variant is different from the highly infectious variants found in Britain and South Africa. Moreover, studies have been advanced into finding out the efficiency of vaccines against the new variant.

In a briefing with the Health Ministry, Takaji Wakita, head of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases said, “As of now, we do not have any proof that shows that the new Covid-19 variant found in passengers from Brazil is highly infectious.” It is to be noted that Brazil’s Health Ministry has confirmed being notified by Japan’s authorities about the new variant having 12 mutations, one of them already being identified in the UK and South Africa variant. 

The new novel coronavirus variant found in Japan is assumed to have a potential higher infectiousness due to serious health issues in all four travellers who tested positive. A 40-year old man had problems in breathing, while a woman in her 30s had a headache and sore throat. While a teenaged man had a fever, a teenaged woman showcased no symptoms.

Brazil’s Health Ministry reported that all the four new coronavirus variant positive travellers are in quarantine at Tokyo’s airport. 

It is to be noted that due to a high rise in coronavirus cases, Japan has declared a state of emergency for Tokyo and three surrounding areas near the capital on Thursday. 

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Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.