The Federal Government has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant XEC has not been detected in Nigeria, dispelling recent rumors and fears circulating on social media.
In a statement released on Saturday, Mr. Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized the importance of addressing misinformation regarding the resurgence of COVID-19 in the country.
He referred to a letter dated December 5, 2024, with the reference number DHS/INSPDIV/017/VOL.1/46, which erroneously implied the presence of the variant in Nigeria.
“While the newly detected XEC variant of COVID-19, first reported in Australia, has spread to 29 countries globally, it is crucial to clarify that there is no evidence of its presence in Nigeria,” said Balogun.
“The variant has shown increased virulence compared to other circulating strains, raising concerns about its impact on healthcare systems worldwide. However, there is no cause for alarm in Nigeria at this time.”
He further reassured the public that there was no evidence linking the XEC variant to any cases in the country, advising Nigerians to remain calm and continue practicing universal COVID-19 precautions, such as regular handwashing and maintaining good personal hygiene.
Balogun also noted that the Ministry had enhanced surveillance efforts at all entry points into Nigeria, with health agencies on high alert.
Also, the Federal Government has proactively bolstered healthcare infrastructure, upgrading federal tertiary hospitals by establishing molecular laboratories, isolation centers, and Intensive Care Units (ICUs), all equipped with ventilators.
The XEC variant, a sub-variant of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain, was first detected in May 2024 and has since spread to 43 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America.
In Africa, Botswana has reported one case of the variant, linked to a hospitalized European traveler.
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