New offspring of Ba.2 subvariant detected in Japan
17:44 JST, May 3, 2022
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — A new offspring of the Ba.2 subvariant of the omicron coronavirus has been discovered for the first time in Japan, Tokyo Medical and Dental University said Monday.
It is one type of the widely circulating Ba.2 subvariant, but it has a mutation in the spike protein seen in the delta variant, according to the university. Spike proteins are used by the virus to invade cells.
The offshoot was detected in mid-April from two in-patients at the university hospital. They had no record of traveling abroad and are believed to have caught the virus through community transmission.
The offspring of the Ba.2 subvariant was discovered by analyzing the entire genome of in-patients.
Both patients had mild symptoms, and they had been vaccinated with booster shots.
“The offshoot could possibly be more transmissible than Ba.2. If it gains a foothold, infection cases may remain elevated for a long time,” said Hiroaki Takeuchi, associate professor at the university.
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
-
U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
-
JAL Airplane Experiences Radio Malfunction During Flight, Lands Safely By Relying on Light Signals
-
Cherry tree falls on man on Sanneizaka steps leading to famous Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto
-
Strong Earthquake Rocks Southern Part of Kyushu; No Risk of a Tsunami
JN ACCESS RANKING
- China Mutes Memorialization of Reformer Hu Yaobang; Memories Could Spark Critique of Xi Administration
- Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
- U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
- UNRWA Director Describes Catastrophic Destruction in Gaza; Says Relief Trucks Robbed, ‘People’s Hearts Destroyed’
- JAL Airplane Experiences Radio Malfunction During Flight, Lands Safely By Relying on Light Signals