Federal Government Dispels Rumours, Says Nigeria Has No COVID-19 XEC Variant

The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that the COVID-19 XEC variant has not been detected in the country. This assurance comes as the variant, which was first reported in Australia, has spread to 29 countries worldwide, raising concerns over its heightened virulence.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, there is no evidence of the XEC variant in Nigeria, and the public is advised to disregard rumors suggesting otherwise. The ministry has urged citizens to remain calm and continue observing universal health precautions, such as regular handwashing, to prevent the spread of the virus.

To mitigate potential risks, the government has ramped up preparedness measures at federal tertiary hospitals and border entry points. These measures include establishing molecular laboratories, isolation centers, and intensive care units equipped with ventilators.

The ministry has also intensified surveillance at Nigeria’s borders and entry points to detect and address any potential cases of the variant. This is a call for vigilance, not alarm, as Nigeria remains free of the new variant.

It’s worth noting that the XEC variant is a subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain and was first reported in May 2024. It has been detected in 43 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America, with Botswana reporting one case in Africa.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has advised African countries to enhance their surveillance and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 cases and emerging variants.