The Indian variant of the coronavirus was found in Maranhão, in the northeast of Brazil. The strain was identified in the crew of the ship Mv Shangon Da Zhi, which traveled from South Africa to São Luís city.

Six ship crew members tested positive for B.1.617.2, one of the strains of the variant from India.

According to the Maranhão state government, the people on the ship are isolated and the ship is not authorized to dock on Brazilian soil. However, at least three patients had to leave the ship to receive medical attention. About 100 people who had contact with them are being tracked, will be isolated and tested.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Indian variant B.1.617 as a “global concern”.