Scientists in Vietnam have discovered a new coronavirus variant that is a hybrid of strains first found in India and the UK.
The country's health minister said lab tests suggested it might spread more easily than other versions of the virus.
Nguyen Thanh Long said scientists examined the genetic make-up of the virus that had infected some recent patients, and found the new version of the virus.
It comes as cases of the Indian variant have risen across the country, with Scotland recording 808 cases of it up until May 27.
Viruses often develop small genetic changes as they reproduce, and new variants of Covid-19 have been seen almost since it was first detected in China in late 2019.
The World Health Organisation has listed four global "variants of concern" - the two first found in the UK and India, plus ones identified in South Africa and Brazil.
Mr Long said the new variant could be responsible for a recent surge in Vietnam, which has spread to 30 of the country's 63 municipalities and provinces.
Vietnam was initially a standout success in battling the virus - in early May, it had recorded just over 3,100 confirmed cases and 35 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
But in the last few weeks, Vietnam has confirmed more than 3,500 new cases and 12 deaths, increasing the country's total death toll to 47.
It comes as Uk Government Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the number of cases of the Indian variant has doubled in the UK in the past week.
Areas including Bolton, Bedford and Blackburn with Darwen have all seen spikes in cases over the past few weeks, with large numbers of the Indian variant identified.
While Scotland has not published local data on the Indian variant, Glasgow has seen a spike in cases and remain at lockdown Level 3.
The city has had surge testing and more vaccines deployed as a result of rising infections.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5cmVjb3JkLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvdWstd29ybGQtbmV3cy9zY2llbnRpc3RzLWRpc2NvdmVyLW5ldy1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy12YXJpYW50LTI0MjEyNDg10gEA?oc=5
2021-05-29 18:11:51Z
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