KEY POINTS
- The 29 countries where the XEC COVID-19 variant has spread also worry about how transmissible this variant is.
- Nigerian hospitals have activated heightened alert systems to monitor COVID like symptoms.
- Vaccines are still effective in preventing severe cases of the new variant, experts say.
As the XEC COVID-19 variant rapidly spreads around the world, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has warned of the newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant.
In a letter dated December 5, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. O.N. Anuma, authorized health authorities to put mass alerting systems on high alert due to the confirming of the XEC variant in 29 countries.
Concerns about the rapid spread and potential public health impact have arisen because the variant was first identified in Australia.
Urgent call to be increasingly vigilant
Speaking to the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors, Dr Anuma noted that the new variant called the XEC had a growth advantage over the other circulating strains suggesting it could be more transmissible.
“The growth advantage of this variant over other circulating strains is a cause for concern of how this might impact public health,” the letter read.
The Ministry has already called for an immediate activation of alert systems in hospitals and health institutions and has urged medical professionals to maintain a high index of suspicion among patients presenting with COVID-like symptoms.
Global spread and the burns of XEC
Identified in June of 2024 in Germany, the XEC variant has since spread to countries such as the UK, US, Denmark, and many more with over 600 recorded cases globally, said the report.
The variant was confirmed in 27 countries by September but has since spread to France and the US
Vaccines are likely still to provide protection from serious disease, although the variant may have new mutations that make it better able to spread in the autumn months.
Timely information-sharing and collaborate essential
Dr. Anuma stressed the need for the health institutions and government agencies to work together and to implement more monitoring protocols and to share the critical data on the XEC variant.
He said timely information sharing among relevant stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Health will be critical in effective response strategies.
