The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has dismissed reports regarding the presence of the COVID-19 variant XEC in Nigeria, urging citizens to ignore misinformation circulating on social media.
In a press statement signed by the deputy director of information and public relations at the FMOH, Mr. Alaba Balogun the ministry reassured the public that there is no evidence supporting the detection of the XEC variant in the country.
The statement, titled “Letter of Conveyance in Respect of the Newly Detected COVID Variant XEC,” was issued over the weekend to address growing concerns over false claims.
The XEC variant, first identified in Australia, has reportedly spread to 29 countries and is noted for its increased virulence. However, the ministry clarified that Nigeria remains unaffected.
“We urge the public to stay calm and maintain universal health precautions, including regular handwashing,” the statement read.
To strengthen preparedness, the ministry outlined several measures being implemented to safeguard public health:
– Enhanced Surveillance: Monitoring efforts have been intensified, especially at entry points into the country.
– Improved Healthcare Facilities: Federal tertiary hospitals are equipped with molecular laboratories, isolation centres, and ventilators to manage any potential outbreaks.
– Public Reassurance: Nigerians are encouraged to carry on with their daily activities without fear, as there is no credible threat from the XEC variant.
The ministry also addressed a letter with reference number DHS/INSPDIV/017/VOL.1/46, dated December 5, 2024, which has been widely shared online. They described the letter as fake and urged the public to disregard its content.
“As part of our responsibility to coordinate, monitor, and evaluate response activities, the Federal Ministry of Health remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services in the event of any outbreak,” the statement added. The ministry emphasised its proactive approach to monitoring emerging infectious diseases and reaffirmed its dedication to protecting public health. Regular updates will be provided to keep Nigerians informed of any developments.
Science Nigeria reports that the XEC variant of COVID-19 is a recombinant strain, meaning it results from the combination of genetic material from two or more existing variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Recombinant variants can emerge when different strains infect the same individual and exchange genetic material during replication. This process may lead to new variants with unique properties, such as increased transmissibility, virulence, or resistance to immunity.
Although the XEC variant has spread to 29 countries, there is no evidence of its presence in Nigeria, as confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Health. Authorities globally are monitoring the variant closely to assess its impact and ensure that public health measures remain effective.
