The Federal Government has clarified that the newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant, identified in Australia and several European countries, is not present in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kachollum Daju, explained that a recently leaked letter addressed to the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors was intended as a precautionary measure and not to incite panic.
Dated 5 December 2024, the letter from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare urged health authorities to activate heightened alert systems in hospitals and maintain a high index of suspicion for patients exhibiting COVID-like symptoms.
Signed by the Head of the Teaching Hospital Division, Dr O.N. Anuma, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, the letter called for collaboration with relevant stakeholders to share critical data on the variant and implement enhanced monitoring protocols.
The letter read: “I am directed to inform you of a newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant, which has been reported in Australia and has already spread to 29 countries globally. You may wish to know that this variant has shown a growth advantage over other circulating strains, raising concerns about its potential impact on public health. Alert systems should be immediately activated throughout our hospitals for high index of suspicion in patients with COVID-like symptoms.”
Daju emphasised that the XEC COVID-19 variant has been detected in 29 countries. Given the festive season, during which travellers arrive from various parts of the world, it is vital for hospitals to implement measures to ensure Nigeria is not caught unprepared.
