The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has has said that there was no evidence of presence of the newly detected COVID-19 variant XEC in Nigeria.
In a statement on Saturday by the ministry’s deputy director, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Alaba Balogun, and made available to newsmen in Abuja, it urged Nigerians to remain calm and continue adhering to standard hygiene practices.
The Daily Crucible reports that COVID-19 variant XEC, known for its increased virulence compared to other strains, has been reported in Australia. It has also spread to no fewer than 29 countries, fuelling concerns about its potential impact on healthcare systems globally.
However, as was the case of COVID – 19, the ministry harped on rigorous surveillance at the country’s entry points.
However, health facilities have not shown signs of the variant within the shore of Nigeria.
To mitigate risks, the federal government has upgraded its Federal Tertiary Hospitals by establishing molecular laboratories, isolation centres, and intensive care units equipped with ventilators.
The facilities were part of proactive measures to strengthen the country’s preparedness for any potential outbreaks, the statement added.
The ministry has also clarified that reports circulating on social media, including a letter with Ref. No. DHS/INSPDIV/017/VOL.1/46 dated December 5, 2024, suggesting the detection of XEC in the country were false, urging Nigerians to ignore the misinformation and instead rely on verified updates from official channels.
It encouraged Nigerians to maintain universal precautions, such as regular hand washing and good personal hygiene, to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
The ministry reassured the public of its commitment to safeguarding the health of all citizens while ensuring the delivery of uninterrupted healthcare services.
