![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2.58153568.jpg\")
The newly-discovered Brazilian mutation of coronavirus in Ireland may be more transmissible, a health chief said.<\/p>\nThe newly-discovered Brazilian mutation of coronavirus in Ireland may be more transmissible, a health chief said.<\/p>\n
Three cases have been detected in the Republic for the first time.<\/p>\n
All are directly associated with recent travel from the South American country, the authorities said.<\/p>\n
Dr Colm Henry, HSE chief clinical officer, told RT\u00c9 Radio 1: \u201cIt may well be more transmissible.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs to whether or not it is more resistant to the neutralizing antibodies that is created by vaccines, we don\u2019t know yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know from the South African variant that shares some traits that it has a greater resistance but is still susceptible to vaccines. But of course it is worrying.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cases are being followed up by public health teams and enhanced measures have been put in place.<\/p>\n
The Brazil variant could be much more contagious or easy to catch than the original version of coronavirus.<\/p>\n
It has undergone changes to its spike protein \u2013 the part of the virus which attaches to human cells.<\/p>\n
It first emerged in July.<\/p>\n
Around 90 per cent of Covid-19 cases in Ireland are associated with the UK variant.<\/p>\n
Numbers of new infections and pressure on hospitals have eased and the death toll has begun to abate following weeks of tough curbs.<\/p>\n
The emergence of new mutations introduces significant uncertainty in predicting when society can return to normal, public health experts have said.<\/p>\n
The Republic recently passed the grim milestone of 4,000 dead from the disease during the latest wave of mortality.<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has warned tough restrictions to slow the spread of disease could remain in place into April.<\/p>\n
Schools and childcare will reopen on a phased basis next month after health experts gave the green light to Government to begin easing weeks of strict lockdown.<\/p>\n
Next week ministers are expected to update their Living with Covid plan.<\/p>\n
Ireland has also ramped up its vaccination program.<\/p>\n