Bangladesh Virus Fears: Bangladesh virus fears in wake of neighbouring India

India's surge in coronavirus cases has begun to worry officials in neighbouring Bangladesh, as health experts warn of imminent vaccine shortages just as the country should be stepping up its vaccination drive.

On Saturday, health authorities said that for the first time, a coronavirus variant originally identified in India was detected in Bangladesh.

The country's Serum Institute was supposed to supply 30 million doses of the vaccine - 5 million doses a month - to Bangladesh by June. But the institute has only supplied 7 million doses and has suspended further shipments since February.

The densely populated country of 160 million is desperately seeking new avenues for vaccines other than India, and is attempting to produce Russian and Chinese vaccines at home by bringing technology from both countries.