It comes after 12 patients tested positive in the same region, and their tests showed "an atypical combination", reported Express Online.

According to reports, the variant has 46 mutations.

The index case had returned from travelling to Cameroon, suggesting to experts that it may have originated in the African country, the news portal reported.

The variant has been given the name B.1.640.2, reports Express Online.

The new variant emerged at a time when the world is battling Omicron.