Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases disclosed on Sunday that it had detected a new variant of the coronavirus in four travelers from Brazil.

The new variant is almost similar to the new variants discovered in the United Kingdom and South Africa believed to be more infectious.

Japan health authorities however said that any information about the new variant is limited to its genetic makeup.

World Health  Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a press briefing on Monday that they have been notified on the new mutation of the virus.

Tedros added that the new, contagious strains are “highly problematic” if allowed to burden hospitals already under intense pressure.

“The more the virus spreads, the higher the chance of new changes to the virus,” Tedros said.

The new variants discovered in the United Kingdom and South Africa have been proven to be more infectious but reportedly do not cause more severe symptoms. (TDT)