Highly Transmissible 'Kentauros' Confirmed in Korea for the First Time... 60s Patient with No Overseas Travel History

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] The first confirmed case of the 'Centaurus (BA.2.75)' variant, a COVID-19 mutation known for its rapid spread and strong immune evasion properties, has been identified in South Korea.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 14th, analysis of a specimen from a man in his 60s living in Incheon, Mr. A, confirmed the presence of the BA.2.75 variant.

Mr. A developed suspected symptoms on the 8th and was confirmed positive on the 11th. Four individuals were classified as contacts, including one cohabitant and three community contacts, but no additional confirmed cases have been identified so far. The KDCA explained that the community contacts were exposed on the 5th, before symptom onset.

Health authorities are conducting an epidemiological investigation into Mr. A’s movements and found no history of overseas travel during the possible infection period. This suggests a high likelihood that the virus has already spread within the community.

Mr. A is currently undergoing home treatment with mild symptoms. However, the KDCA did not disclose specific symptoms to protect his personal medical information.

The health authorities are conducting an in-depth investigation into Mr. A’s infection route and plan to conduct follow-up testing for 14 days from the last exposure date.

BA.2.75 is known to have stronger transmissibility and immune evasion than BA.5, which is currently the dominant strain in South Korea.

This variant was first detected in India at the end of May, where its prevalence rapidly increased from 7.9% on the 20th of last month to 51.35% just a week later on the 27th. So far, 119 cases have been confirmed in about 10 countries including the United States, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.