Researchers Detect Omicron Subvariant With New Mutation First Time In Japan
Japanese researchers say they have detected a new mutation in the BA.2 Omicron subvariant for the first time in the country.
A group led by Associate Professor Takeuchi Hiroaki at Tokyo Medical and Dental University made the announcement on Monday.
Researchers conducted a DNA analysis of coronavirus samples taken from 116 patients at the university hospital over the three-month period through mid-April.
They say they identified from two patients the BA.2 Omicron subvariant with a new mutation in mid-April. The BA.2 is now dominant in the country.
They say the mutation was seen in the L452 position of the subvariant's spike protein, the same place as the Delta variant mutation. The Delta variant rapidly spread in the country last summer.
Researchers say it is not clear at the moment whether the mutation makes the subvariant is more transmissible.
The two patients' symptoms were light. Researchers believe that the mutation occurred in Japan because of its genetic characteristics and the fact that the patients have no recent records of overseas travel.
Subvariants with similar mutations have reportedly been confirmed in Britain and other countries and are on the rise.
Associate Professor Takeuchi says the new mutation could make the subvariant highly contagious, so people should continue to take anti-virus measures.