Newly Detected XEC COVID-19 Variant Not Found in Nigeria, FG Clarifies

The Federal Government has emphasised that the recently discovered XEC COVID-19 variation, which has been found in Australia and several other European nations, is not present in Nigeria.

Kachollum Daju of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare verified that a recently leaked letter written to the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors was precautionary in nature and did not mean to generate alarm.

Speaking further, Daju stated that the XEC COVID-19 strain has been found in 29 nations, and given the Christmas season, when tourists arrive from all over the world, hospitals must adopt steps to guarantee the country is not caught off guard.

In a letter dated December 5, 2024, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare asked health officials to activate heightened warning systems throughout hospitals and maintain a high index of suspicion for patients with COVID-like symptoms.

The letter Dr. O.N. Anuma, Head of the Teaching Hospital Division, signed the letter on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, calling for collaboration with key stakeholders to exchange vital variant data and establish better monitoring methods.

“I am writing to advise you about a newly discovered XEC COVID-19 strain that was identified in Australia and has already spread to 29 nations worldwide. “You may be interested to know that this variant has demonstrated a growth advantage over other circulating strains, raising concerns about its potential impact on public health,” the letter stated.

If patients exhibit a high index of suspicion for COVID-like symptoms, our hospitals should promptly activate alert systems.

“Timely information sharing among relevant stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health, will be vital for effective response strategies.”

The Permanent Secretary emphasised the significance of taking preventative steps during this time to avoid the variation from spreading to Nigeria.