Japan Confirms First Case Of New Omicron Subvariant Ba.2.75
Japan has confirmed its first case of a new Omicron coronavirus subvariant outside of quarantine stations.
Officials in Kobe City, western Japan, say a local woman in her 40s tested positive for the coronavirus on June 24. She had visited a medical institution after developing symptoms such as coughing and fever.
Municipal officials later conducted genome analysis on a sample from the woman and confirmed the virus to be the new BA.2.75 strain of the BA.2 Omicron subvariant.
The woman had not traveled abroad within 14 days before developing symptoms, nor had she had contact with anyone who had been overseas.
Kobe City officials say they cannot rule out community transmission of the virus.
The BA.2.75 strain was first confirmed in India last month. There's no clear data yet on its transmissibility or risk of serious illness.
The World Health Organization is stepping up surveillance of the strain.
Municipal health official Yamasaki Hatsumi says basic anti-infection measures are the same with any variant or subvariant. She is urging people to continue ventilation and handwashing to reduce the risk of infection.