The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has confirmed that there is no evidence of the newly detected COVID-19 variant XEC in Nigeria. This assurance comes amid growing public concern fueled by misinformation circulating on social media.
In a statement signed by Mr. Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations, and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja, the Ministry emphasized the absence of any confirmed cases of the XEC variant in Nigeria. “The public is urged to remain calm and adhere to universal hygiene precautions,” the statement read.
The Ministry clarified that a letter with Ref. No. DHS/INSPDIV/017/VOL.1/46 dated December 5, 2024, falsely suggesting a resurgence of COVID-19 in Nigeria, was misinformation. It called on Nigerians to disregard unverified social media reports and rely solely on official communication channels for accurate updates.
The COVID-19 variant XEC, first reported in Australia, has spread to 29 countries and is noted for its higher virulence compared to other circulating strains. Despite these developments, the Ministry reassured Nigerians that proactive measures are in place to protect public health.
To enhance the nation’s preparedness for potential outbreaks, the Federal Government has upgraded facilities at Federal Tertiary Hospitals, equipping them with:
Isolation Centers for effective containment of potential outbreaks.
Intensive Care Units (ICUs) equipped with ventilators for critical care needs.
Furthermore, surveillance efforts at all entry points into the country have been intensified to monitor and respond promptly to emerging health threats.
The Ministry urged Nigerians to maintain personal hygiene practices such as regular handwashing and to disregard unverified reports that could lead to panic. “We are committed to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare service delivery and safeguarding the health of all Nigerians,” the statement concluded.
With these assurances, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reiterated its commitment to strengthening the national health system to provide effective and efficient healthcare delivery, especially in the face of emerging infectious diseases.
