One Additional Case of BA.2.75 Variant Confirmed in Korea... Imported from India (Update)

On the 13th, the COVID-19 testing center at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 is crowded with overseas arrivals. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] An additional confirmed case of the BA.2.75 variant, commonly known as 'Kentauros,' has been identified.

On the 21st, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that one more overseas-imported case of BA.2.75 variant infection was confirmed. The additional confirmed patient tested positive on the 7th, two days after arriving from India on the 5th. The health authorities are currently conducting an epidemiological investigation on this confirmed case.

The first confirmed case of the BA.2.75 variant in Korea was identified on the 14th. With this additional confirmation, the total number of BA.2.75 variant infection cases in Korea has reached two.

The first confirmed patient is a man in his 60s residing in Incheon, who had no history of overseas travel during the possible infection period. This has raised concerns that the BA.2.75 variant may have already spread within the local community. Four close contacts were identified, including one cohabitant and three community members, but no additional confirmed cases have been found among them so far.

BA.2.75 was first discovered in India in May of this year and is spreading in the United States, Europe, and other regions. Compared to BA.2, BA.2.75 has eight additional mutations in the spike gene, which allows it to bind more effectively to cells and strongly evade antibodies formed by vaccination or previous infection.

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