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Omicron variant types detected in Japan likely entered separately

By on February 15, 2022

At least four different types of the dominant omicron coronavirus variant exist in Japan, and they are likely to have entered the country through separate routes, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases has said.

Of the four, three have spread across Japan, apparently causing the current nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases, according to the institute.
After conducting genome analyses of 2,650 cases registered by Jan. 17, the institute confirmed at least four types of the currently dominant BA.1 omicron strain appear to have entered the country separately in or after mid-December last year.

The spread of the first type, similar to one found in Europe and detected widely in the Kansai western region from late December, has slowed down, thanks to “early detection and measures against cluster infections,” the institute reported.
The second type is prevalent in Japan and is similar to or the same as the one found widely in the United States.

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