The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, has assured Nigerians that the National COVID-19 Technical Working Group (TWG) is closely monitoring global developments and will continue to conduct dynamic risk and readiness assessments to guide swift public health responses.
This assurance came on Sunday amidst growing rumors about the emergence of the COVID-19 variant XEC.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had on Saturday issued a similar assurance to Nigerians that the COVID-19 variant XEC has not been detected in the country.
Dr. Idris explained that while the XEC variant—first reported in Australia—has been detected in 43 countries globally, including Botswana in Africa, there is no evidence that it has reached Nigeria.
He clarified that the XEC subvariant, a descendant of the Omicron lineage, is currently categorized as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) and has shown higher transmissibility without evidence of increased severity, while, the JN.1 variant, its predecessor classified as a Variant of Interest (VOI), has been present in Nigeria since January 2024.
‘’For the information of our people, there are many variants of SARS-COVID-2 being monitored globally. Currently, the JN.1, classified as the Variant of Interest (VOI), is now reported in 132 countries, including the United States, India, Australia, the United Kingdom, China, New Zealand, Thailand, Canada, and Singapore, and Nigeria. A VOI is not yet deemed to pose serious risk. The XEC is a subvariant of JN.1 and has been designated as the Variant Under Monitoring (VUMs) i.e. being watched for potential concerns and not considered to pose a significant risk, and not yet meet the criteria for designation as VOI,’’ Dr Idris explained.
To strengthen preparedness, Dr Idris said the NCDC has intensified surveillance across the country, particularly at healthcare facilities.
He urged both public and private health institutions to increase COVID-19 testing for suspected cases and send positive samples to NCDC-accredited laboratories for genomic sequencing.
He also said that proactive measures, such as enhanced monitoring, stockpiling medical supplies, and continuous training for health workers, were being implemented to ensure the country’s readiness for any potential outbreaks.
Dr. Idris advised Nigerians to remain calm and adhere to preventive measures, including maintaining good personal hygiene, practicing respiratory etiquette, and staying vigilant for COVID-19 symptoms.
He also encouraged everyone to get vaccinated and ensure booster doses are up-to-date to provide maximum protection against the virus.
Also, Dr Idris called on state governments to support public health systems by improving diagnostic and treatment capacities, while also promoting public health campaigns to educate communities on prevention and early medical intervention.
The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians through evidence-based updates and strategic responses to evolving public health concerns.
PR
