Japan Detects New Covid Strain Distinct From UK, South Africa Variants; Will It Impact India-Japan Air Bubble Pact?

Studies were underway to determine the efficacy of vaccines against the new variant, which has been found to differ from highly infectious variants first found in Britain and South Africa.

(Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)

It seems that the coronavirus mutant is spreading to other nations including Japan, which has detected a new strain of the coronavirus in four passengers arriving from Brazil. According to the Japan's ministry official studies were underway into the efficacy of vaccines against the new variant, which has been found to differ from highly infectious variants first found in Britain and South Africa. Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) authorities stated that there is no proof showing the new variant found in those from Brazil is high in infectiousness, as per the Reuters report. What are the findings? As per the Japanese Health Ministry, a coronavirus variant in airport has been detected in a man in his 40s, a woman in her 30s and two teens. Japan has been working with other nations, the WHO and other medical experts to analyze the new version of the virus, and it was still unclear whether available vaccines would work. The man who tested positive had no symptoms upon arrival but was hospitalised after his breathing became difficult. The woman suffered head aches, one teen, a male, had a fever, while the other female teen had no symptoms, according to the ministry. The Brazil's Health Ministry has been notified by Japan's authorities that the new variant has 12 mutations, and one of them has already been identified also in the variants found in the United Kingdom and in South Africa. In fact, 30 cases of variants from Britain and South Africa have earlier been reported in Japan. There is a worry among experts that the variants appear to spread faster. Japan has declared a state of emergency for the Tokyo area, which kicked in Friday, asking restaurants and bars to close at 8 pm. While people have complained the restrictions are not adequate noting train stations and eateries are still packed, including at night. Japan has had about 4,000 deaths related to Covid-19 so far, and more than 280,000 confirmed cases so far. The NIID has informed the World Health Organization of the new strain, as per the local newspaper the Yomiuri Shimbun.The institute is investigating if the variant causes more severe cases. What will happen to India's Air Bubble’ arrangement with Japan? After the news that a more infectious strain of the Covid-19 virus has surfaced in the UK, India had suspended flights between the two countries on December 23, 2020 . However, India partially lifted the ban on India-UK flights in calibrated manner after flights were suspended as the new strain of the coronavirus being detected in 82 UK-returned individuals. In November, Air India has announced an Air Bubble schedule from Delhi to Tokyo. The schedule from Tokyo to Delhi was to remain effective from November 4 to December 30, 2020. Under the arrangement, flyers didn't require “No Objection” from the embassy to board ‘Air Bubble’ flights to India. With new strain in Japan, India will have to watchful of the situation to curb any new strain in the country.