- Agency advises Nigerians to take precautionary measures
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 some parts of the world.
No evidence of the new strain has been found in Nigeria, according to a statement at the weekend by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
But the NCDC explained that while the JN.1 variant, classified as a Variant of Interest (VOI), has been reported in Nigeria since January, the XEC sub-variant, a descendant of JN.1, has not been detected in the country.
In a public health advisory yesterday, the agency stressed the importance of ensuring that public health infrastructure remained 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 centres were fully prepared.
Besides providing support, the NCDC urged the state governments to launch public health campaigns to educate communities on preventive measures and the importance of seeking prompt medical attention.
The agency’s advisory followed 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.
In its statement on Saturday, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had assured Nigerians that there was no evidence of this variant in the country and urged the public to remain calm while adopting necessary preventive measures.
But in its statement yesterday, the NCDC highlighted the ongoing evolution of the virus and reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring and analysing local and international surveillance data to guide public health responses.
The agency said it had 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, the centre said.
The NCDC advised 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.
It described COVID-19 as a significant risk, particularly for the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses, cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, and those with weakened immune systems.
The NCDC urged the public to adhere to basic safety measures, including maintaining good personal hygiene, washing hands regularly, using hand sanitisers, 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.
The NCDC urged healthcare workers 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.
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The agency emphasised the importance of hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment, and adherence to infection prevention and control measures in healthcare settings.
It assured the public that it was closely monitoring the global situation and would continue to provide evidence-based updates on any developments related to SARS-CoV-2 that may pose public health risks.
The NCDC 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, emphasising the importance of full vaccination and booster doses where applicable.