The Indian variant of SARS-CoV-2, officially known as B.1.617, has been detected for the first time in Sri Lanka.

The virus strain, which has exacerbated the pandemic situation in the peninsula, was found in sample obtained from an individual is currently staying at a quarantine facility upon returning to the island from India.

Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Director of Allergy, Immunity and Cell Biology Unit of Sri Jayewardenepura University confirmed this to Ada Derana.

He stated that the B.1.351 variant, first discovered in South Africa, has also been identified in the country, adding that this case was also detected from a quarantine centre.

Another variant – identified as B.1.428 strain which is of Denmark lineage – was meanwhile detected from Jaffna area.

Further, the Sri Lankan variant, which is of B.1.411 lineage and dominated the island’s second wave of the pandemic, has also been found during sample sequencing.

However, analysis have revealed that more than 90 per cent of samples sequenced in the third wave belonged to the B.1.1.7 variant – also known as the Kent or UK strain.

Speaking further, Dr. Jeewandara said there is little difference between the UK and Indian strains in terms of their transmissibility and mortality rate.

Although one case of the Indian variant was detected in the country, majority of the deaths and infections in the third wave were caused by the UK variant which is one of the main variants of concern in the world, he pointed out.