Kehinde Fajobi
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has confirmed that there is no evidence of the newly detected COVID-19 variant XEC in Nigeria.
This clarification comes as the variant, first reported in Australia, spreads across 29 countries, raising concerns over its potential impact.
In a statement released on Saturday but dated Friday, the ministry addressed misinformation circulating about a possible resurgence of COVID-19 in the country.
Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, reassured the public, stating, “The good news is that there is no evidence of COVID variant XEC in Nigeria.”
The ministry also urged Nigerians to disregard rumors fueled by a letter with reference number DHS/INSPDIV/017/VOL1/46, which has been widely shared online.
Balogun encouraged citizens to remain calm and adhere to basic health precautions: “In light of the above, the general public is advised not to panic but to continue with the universal precautions of observing personal hygiene, including regular washing of hands.”
To mitigate potential risks, the government has stepped up preparedness measures at Federal Tertiary Hospitals and border entry points.
These include the establishment of molecular laboratories, isolation centres, and intensive care units equipped with ventilators.
“The Federal Government has proactively upgraded our Federal Tertiary Hospitals to ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery to all Nigerians in the event of a disease outbreak,” the ministry’s statement added.
The ministry has also heightened surveillance at Nigeria’s borders to detect any potential cases of the variant.
It reassured the public that measures are in place to safeguard public health.
The statement concluded with a call for vigilance, urging Nigerians to continue their daily activities without disruption while prioritising hygiene and preventive health practices.
Meanwhile, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has urged AU Member States to enhance surveillance of influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory syndrome to monitor emerging variants like XEC.
Although the XEC variant, a subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain, was first detected in May 2024, it has been reported in 43 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Botswana has also reported a case linked to a European traveller. However, the Africa CDC noted that limited testing in Africa makes it challenging to track the variant’s spread accurately.