A Brazilian strain of the coronavirus has been detected in samples collected in Croatia in December, researchers from the Zagreb-based Ruđer Boskovic Institute reported on Thursday.

A team of researchers led by scientist Oliver Vugrek had analysed 50 coronavirus samples taken by a private health clinic in Zagreb in December 2020 collected in testing. One of these was now identified as belonging to the B.1.1.28 lineage of the novel coronavirus.

This research team has not found evidence of the so-called British strain of the virus in those samples.

Vugrek said that mutations could appear in various strains of the coronavirus, and added that genetic sequencing and monitoring of the mutations of the virus could help experts explain why the virus can spread at a faster or slower pace among the general population over time.