The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, (NCDC), has urged state governments across the country to strengthen public health systems in response to the emergence of a new strain of the coronavirus in parts of the world.
Though no evidence of the new strain has been found in Nigeria, according to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in a statement on Saturday, NCDC, however, explained that while the JN.1 variant, classified as a Variant of Interest (VOI), has been reported in Nigeria since January 2024, the XEC sub-variant, a descendant of JN.1, has not been detected in the country.
In its public health advisory on Sunday, the agency emphasized the importance of ensuring that public health infrastructure remains responsive and resilient to address evolving health concerns effectively.
It advised States to allocate resources to support laboratories and healthcare facilities, improve surveillance and diagnostic capabilities, and ensure that treatment centers are fully prepared.
In addition to providing support, it encouraged the State governments to launch public health campaigns to educate communities on preventive measures and the importance of seeking prompt medical attention.
The advisory follows concerns raised by reports of the SARS-CoV-2 XEC sub-variant, a descendant of the Omicron lineage, which has been detected in several countries, including Australia.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in a statement on Saturday, assured Nigerians that there is no evidence of this variant in the country and urged the public to remain calm while adopting necessary preventive measures.
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In a statement on Sunday, the NCDC highlighted the ongoing evolution of the virus and reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring and analyzing both local and international surveillance data to guide public health responses.
The agency stated that it has continuously upgraded its emergency preparedness and response strategies, including surveillance, detection, stockpiling, and training, to ensure a swift and effective response.
A dynamic risk and readiness assessment is also being conducted to develop actionable plans, it assured.
The NCDC called on all health facilities, public and private, to increase COVID-19 testing among suspected cases and to send all positive samples to its laboratories or other accredited public health laboratories for genomic sequencing.
The agency also urged citizens to share only verified information to prevent unnecessary panic or anxiety.
The NCDC stressed that COVID-19 remains a significant risk, particularly for the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses, cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, and those with weakened immune systems.
It encouraged the public to adhere to basic safety measures, including maintaining good personal hygiene, washing hands regularly, using hand sanitizers, and wearing masks in high-risk situations.
It also encouraged physical distancing, proper ventilation, and prompt medical attention for symptoms such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Healthcare workers were advised to test patients presenting with respiratory or febrile symptoms and to promptly submit SARS-CoV-2 positive samples for sequencing to support national monitoring efforts.
The agency emphasized the importance of hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment, and adherence to infection prevention and control measures in healthcare settings.
The NCDC assured the public that it is closely monitoring the global situation and will continue to provide evidence-based updates on any developments related to SARS-CoV-2 that may pose public health risks.
The agency explained that, globally, the XEC variant has been identified in 43 countries across Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa, with Botswana being the most recent African country to report its presence.
Although the XEC sub-variant has shown higher transmissibility compared to other variants, there is no evidence of increased severity.
The NCDC reiterated that the JN.1 and XEC sub-variants remain under monitoring and do not currently pose significant risks.
The agency urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting themselves and their communities, emphasizing the importance of full vaccination and booster doses where applicable.
