The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has alerted hospitals across Nigeria to the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, identified as XEC, which has been detected in Australia and has spread to 29 countries globally.
The variant is reported to have a growth advantage over other circulating strains, raising concerns about its potential impact on public health.
In a directive addressed to the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors, the ministry called for heightened vigilance in diagnosing patients presenting with COVID-like symptoms.
The directive, signed by Dr O.N. Anuma, Head of the Teaching Hospitals Division, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, urged hospitals to activate their alert systems immediately to ensure a high level of suspicion for the new strain.
The ministry also emphasised the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to share critical data on the variant and implement enhanced health protocols.
