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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reassured the public about its readiness to tackle the newly identified COVID-19 XEC variant, which is reportedly circulating in Australia.
In a statement released on Sunday, the NCDC emphasized that it is closely monitoring global and domestic COVID-19 trends to guide its public health responses.
The agency highlighted its proactive measures, including continuous upgrades to its emergency preparedness and response strategies.
A dynamic risk and readiness assessment is also underway to help refine its action plans.
Variant Monitoring and Global Trends
The NCDC explained that the XEC subvariant, a descendant of the Omicron lineage, is classified as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM).
While this designation means it requires observation for potential risks, the variant is not currently considered a significant threat.
Globally, many SARS-CoV-2 variants are being tracked, including JN.1, a Variant of Interest (VOI) reported in 132 countries, including Nigeria.
The XEC variant, linked to rising cases in 43 countries across Europe, Asia, North America, and recently Botswana, is a subvariant of JN.1. However, it has not yet been detected in Nigeria, despite the presence of JN.1 since January 2024.
The NCDC noted that while the XEC subvariant shows higher transmissibility, there is no evidence of increased disease severity.
The JN.1 subvariants remain the fastest-growing globally among circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains.
Public Health Recommendations
The NCDC urged all health facilities to ramp up COVID-19 testing for symptomatic individuals and to send positive samples to authorized laboratories for sequencing.
It also called on the public to remain calm and avoid unnecessary panic, reiterating that COVID-19 continues to pose the greatest risk to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, individuals with chronic conditions, cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, and those with weakened immune systems.
To mitigate risks, the agency encouraged adherence to basic preventive measures, including:
Maintaining good personal hygiene.
Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
Using alcohol-based hand sanitisers with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
Wearing masks and practising physical distancing.
Staying vigilant, getting tested, and getting vaccinated.
Healthcare and Policy Actions
The NCDC advised healthcare workers to test patients presenting with respiratory or fever-related symptoms, practice strict hand hygiene, use personal protective equipment, and adhere to infection prevention protocols to curb disease spread.
It also called on state governments and policymakers to amplify public health campaigns, educating communities on preventive practices and the importance of seeking timely medical care.
The agency reassured the public of its continued commitment to safeguarding health and maintaining readiness to respond effectively to emerging COVID-19 threats.