Brazil variant – what are the symptoms of the new Covid strain and is it already in the UK?

A THIRD new strain of coronavirus has been identified after mutating in Brazil.

It comes after a more contagious variant was first identified in the UK, followed by another from South Africa.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told MPs today: "We are concerned about the new Brazilian variant.

"We already have tough measures… to protect this country from new infections coming in from abroad.

"We are taking steps to do that in respect of the Brazilian variant."

There remained many questions about the variant, including whether it would be resistant to the vaccines.

"There are lots of questions we still have about that variant, we don't know for instance, any more than we know whether the South African variant is vaccine resistant."

What is the new strain from Brazil?

The new strain was detected in Japan after four travellers returned from Brazil.

The mutation “emerged independently” from those detected in the UK and South Africa, according to virologist Professor Tulio de Oliveira.

He told the Telegraph initial analysis suggests all three variants share concerning characteristics.

Prof de Oliveria, who is leading South Africa’s effort to understand the new strain , said: “We know that B.1.1.248 has one mutation that is shared with the variant in the UK and South Africa, and that's the mutation at position N501Y.

“This is one of the mutations that… is associated with fast transmission.” 

Japan reported the mutation to the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the country recorded a sharp rise in cases in recent weeks.

They have expanded their state of emergency to cover even more regions as the country records record numbers of infections.

Is the Brazil strain in the UK?

It's not yet known if the new strain from Brazil is present in the UK or not.

It was picked up during routine surveillance by Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), which analyses the genomes from all international travellers who test positive for Covid-19 on arrival.

From next week, all international passengers coming into the UK will have to show a negative Covid test before they enter.

Passengers – including homecoming Brits – will have to get a test up to 72 hours before they travel and show a certificate to enter the country.

Test results must be shown at check-in with their airline, train company or ferry before they travel and those who refuse won’t be allowed to travel.

If someone does smuggle themselves into the UK they will be subject to a £500 fine.

What are the symptoms of the Brazil strain?

The Government haven't specified what the symptoms of the new strain from Brazil are.

However, experts have said it is characteristically similar to the other Covid mutations from the UK and South Africa.

Speaking previously, the WHO's technical chief, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, said those infected with different variants had the same symptoms of the disease and there was no severity.

But she said the variant had increased transmission.

The most common signs of Covid to look out for are a loss of taste and smell, a persistent cough, and a high temperature.

WHO's Executive Director Mike Ryan said the variant transmitted in the same way – through respiratory droplets from coughing or in the breath, and from infected surfaces.

The South Africa strain is "more worrying" than a mutant strain discovered in Kent, England, because it is even more infectious.

The UK strain is part of the reason the country was forced into a third national lockdown after some areas were unable to contain cases – even in Tier 4 restrictions.

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