09/08/2021
The lambda variant of the novel coronavirus, first identified in Peru, has been found in Japan for the first time, health ministry officials said Friday.
The variant was detected in a woman in her 30s at Haneda Airport who arrived from Peru on July 20, according to the ministry.
She tested positive for the coronavirus in a quarantine check at the airport, with no symptoms.
The virus was confirmed to be of the lambda variant in an analysis by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
According to the institute, the lambda variant was first detected in Peru in August last year and has been spreading in South America.
Compared with the conventional strain, the variant may be more infectious and have stronger resistance to vaccines, but its details are not known, the institute said.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/08/07/national/science-health/japan-lambda/?fbclid=IwAR38BCc9BqYqqCODYTYnCd5Mq2HFe_Eo-04lll1lBLxdJPVYQve3SpfZ9nI
Compared with the conventional strain, the lambda variant may be more infectious and have stronger resistance to vaccines.