Researchers in a laboratory of the Zagreb-based Ruđer Bošković Institute have identified the presence of a mutation of the Brazilian variant of SARS-CoV-2 among samples collected in Croatia in the last three months, the Institute reported on Thursday.

A team of researchers led by Oliver Vugrek has analysed 50 samples and one of those samples included the B.1.1.28 lineage of the novel coronavirus, according to the press release.

These 50 samples were taken by the private Medikol clinic in December 2020 during the testing of citizens.

The Brazilian strain was detected in a sample taken in Zagreb.

This research team has not found the British variant of the virus in those samples.

Vugrek explains that the mutation could appear in various variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

He said that the monitoring of the mutations of the virus could help experts to establish why the spread of the virus could intensify or slow down among a population in some periods of time.