The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reassured the public that there is no evidence of the newly detected COVID-19 variant XEC in Nigeria.
This clarification comes as the variant, which was first reported in Australia, has spread to 29 countries, prompting concerns over its potential heightened virulence. The government had earlier warned of the variant’s emergence.
In a press release issued on Saturday, though dated Friday, Alaba Balogun, the ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, addressed misinformation about a supposed resurgence of COVID-19 in the country.
“The good news is that there is no evidence of COVID variant XEC in Nigeria,” the statement confirmed, urging the public to disregard rumors sparked by a widely circulated letter referencing DHS/INSPDIV/017/VOL1/46.
The ministry emphasized the importance of staying calm, practicing universal health precautions, and relying on verified information from official sources.
“Therefore, the general public is advised not to panic but to continue following universal precautions such as regular handwashing and personal hygiene,” Balogun said.
To address any potential risks, the Federal Government has strengthened preparedness at Federal Tertiary Hospitals and border entry points. Measures include establishing molecular laboratories, isolation centers, and intensive care units equipped with ventilators.
“The Federal Government has proactively upgraded Federal Tertiary Hospitals to ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery to Nigerians in the event of any disease outbreak,” the release added.
The ministry has also stepped up surveillance at the nation’s borders and entry points to detect and address any potential cases of the variant, assuring Nigerians that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard public health.
The statement concluded by urging the public to remain vigilant but not alarmed, as Nigeria remains free of the XEC variant. Citizens were encouraged to continue their daily activities while prioritizing hygiene and preventive health measures.
In November, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) advised AU member states to enhance surveillance for influenza-like illnesses and severe respiratory syndrome, including SARS-CoV-2 cases and emerging variants.
The XEC variant, a subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain, was first reported in May 2024 and is currently under monitoring by health authorities in other regions. Africa CDC noted that XEC has been detected in 43 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America. In Africa, Botswana reported a case from a hospitalized European traveler. However, limited testing and sequencing in Africa make it challenging to fully understand the spread of the variant on the continent.
