Mohammed Shosanya
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has confirmed that there is no evidence of the new COVID variant XEC in Nigeria,urging the general public to remain calm and adhere to universal hygiene precautions.
Alaba Balogun,Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations,conveyed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.
The Ministry emphasized its mandate to strengthen the national health system for effective and efficient healthcare delivery, especially in response to emerging infectious diseases.
It also clarified misinformation circulating on social media,including a letter with Ref. No:DHS/INSPDIV/017/VOL.1/46 dated 5th December 2024, falsely suggesting the resurgence of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
The COVID variant XEC,recently reported in Australia, has spread to 29 countries and is noted for its higher virulence compared to other circulating strains.
But,the Ministry reassures Nigerians that no cases have been detected within the country.
The Federal Government has proactively upgraded isolation enters for efficient containment of potential outbreaks and equipped intensive care units (ICUs)to safeguard the nation’s health.
Besides,surveillance efforts have been intensified across all entry points into Nigeria to monitor and respond promptly to any emerging health threats.
The Ministry of Health advised Nigerians to observe personal hygiene, including regular handwashing.
The statement added:”The Ministry urges the public to disregard unverified information on social media and rely on official communication channels for updates.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare service delivery and protecting the health of all Nigerians”.