Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday allayed fears over the newly detected COVID-19 XEC variant reportedly in circulation in Australia.
The NCDC, who stated this in a statement, noted that the National COVID-19 Technical Working Group continues to monitor and conduct analyses of surveillance data both internationally and across the country to guide public health response activities.
It also said in line with the emergency preparedness and response strategy, it has continuously upgraded and updated the strategies and capabilities for a quick and effective response; and a dynamic risk assessment/readiness assessment is being organised to guide in developing a plan of action.
“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention considers it necessary to make this statement to allay the fears created in the public space about the Covid-19 variant reportedly in circulation in Australia. The recent detection of the SARS-CoV-2 XEC sub-variant—a descendant of the Omicron lineage—has highlighted the ongoing evolution of the COVID-19 virus.
“For the information of our people, there are many variants of SARS-COVID-2 being monitored globally. Currently, the JN.1, classified as the Variant of Interest, is now reported in 132 countries, including the United States, India, Australia, the United Kingdom, China, New Zealand, Thailand, Canada, and Singapore, and Nigeria. A VOI is not yet deemed to pose serious risk.
The XEC is a subvariant of JN.1 and has been designated as the Variant Under Monitoring i.e. being watched for potential concerns and not considered to pose a significant risk, and not yet meet the criteria for designation as VOI.
“There has been a reported rise in COVID-19 cases linked to the XEC variant, which has been detected so far in 43 countries across different continents, Europe, Asia, North America, and recently in Botswana, Africa. Though the JN.1 has been reported in Nigeria since January 2024, the XEC variants, which are descendants of the Omicron lineage JN.1 are yet to be detected in Nigeria,” it said.
It noted that the JN.1 sub-variants are dominant globally and are the fastest growing among currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2.
It added that while the XEC subvariant has exhibited higher transmissibility as compared to other variants, it has not shown evidence of increased severity.
“The National COVID-19 Technical Working Group continues to monitor and conduct analyses of surveillance data both internationally and across the country to guide public health response activities.
In line with our emergency preparedness and response strategy, we have continuously upgraded and updating our strategies and capabilities (surveillance, detection, stockpiling, training inclusive) for a quick and effective response. Along this line, a dynamic risk assessment / readiness assessment is being organised to guide us in developing a plan of action.
“Meanwhile, we urge all health facilities, both public and private, to increase the testing for COVID-19 on suspected patients. All positive samples are encouraged to be sent to the NCDC laboratory and other public health accredited laboratories for sequencing,” it said.
The agency further said there is no need for unnecessary anxiety or panic.
“COVID-19 remains a significant risk, particularly for the elderly, individuals with underlying chronic illnesses, those undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, and individuals with suppressed immune systems,” it added.
The agency advised the public to continue to adhere to the basic public health safety measures and simple precautions such as maintaining good personal hygiene; covering of mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing or into a bent elbow, using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60 per cent alcohol if soap and water are not available; wearing masks; physical distancing; staying vigilant; getting tested; and getting vaccinated.
