Belgium confirmed its first case of the new COVID variant rapidly spreading across southern Africa, according to the Belgium Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke Friday.

The B1.1.529 variant was found in an unvaccinated traveler who entered the country and tested positive on Nov. 22, De Morgen reported.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the variant, called B.1.1.529, has been detected in South Africa.

The new variant was also found in Botswana, Hong Kong and the Israeli Occupation.