Bogota [Colombia], December 21 (ANI/Sputnik): Colombia has identified three cases of the Omicron coronavirus strain in people arriving from abroad, the first indication that the highly infectious variant has spread to the Latin American nation, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection said on Tuesday.

"The presence of the Omicron variant in Colombia is confirmed. Through analyzes carried out by the Genomic Surveillance Network, the @INSColombia has identified 3 cases," the ministry wrote on Twitter.

Also Read | Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Drone Show: 500 Drones Form the Face of Indian Soldier Mangal Pandey in Lucknow (Watch Video).

According to the ministry, these are three travellers from the United States and Spain. Two of them are Colombian citizens, the third one is a US citizen. The three patients, as well as all people with whom they crossed paths, are currently under medical supervision.

Omicron was first detected in South Africa in late November. The World Health Organization designated it a "variant of concern" due to exceptionally high number of mutations. Despite the new wave of travel bans on Africa, the new variant has since been detected in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. (ANI/Sputnik)

Also Read | Pakistan: Hindu Temple Vandalised in Ranchore Line Area of Karachi, One Arrested.

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)