Experts warn Papua New Guinea is potential breeding ground for new Covid variants

PNG, where less than 5% of the adult population is vaccinated, is creating opportunities for the virus to spread and mutate, epidemiologists say

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Experts have warned that the next variant of Covid-19 to sweep the world could emerge on Australia's doorstep, due to incredibly low rates of vaccination rates in Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea is Australia's closest neighbour, and at its nearest point is just 4km from Australian territory in the Torres Strait. At various points in the pandemic there have been fears that travellers from PNG could bring the virus to Australia.