Sunday, December 08, 2024 -The Federal Government has clarified that the newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant, identified in Australia and some other countries in Europe, is not in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare,
Kachollum Daju, stated that a recently leaked letter addressed to the Committee
of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors was precautionary and not
intended to cause panic.
In a letter dated December 5, 2024, the Federal Ministry of Health and
Social Welfare, had urged health authorities to activate heightened alert
systems across hospitals and maintain a high index of suspicion for patients
with COVID-like symptoms.
The letter 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 regarding the
variant and implement enhanced monitoring protocols.
“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 stated that the XEC COVID-19 variant has been detected in 29 countries, and due to the festive season, when travellers arrive from various parts of the world, it is crucial for hospitals to implement measures to ensure the country is not caught off guard.
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