The emergence of the new deadly COVID-19 variant XEC, which has spread to over 43 countries across the world, should be of concern to our health authorities. Following the reported cases in Australia and 43 other countries, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has tasked health facilities in public and private, to intensify the testing for SARS-CoV-2 XEC sub-variant on suspected patients. Similarly, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to take urgent measures to check the outbreak of the XEC COVID-19 variant in the country. The lawmakers also advised the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other relevant agencies to increase surveillance at all land, sea and air borders.
Available reports show that the XEC COVID-19 variant was first detected in May, 2024, and has spread across 43 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Denmark. It has reportedly infected more than 600 people since inception. Medical experts say that the XEC COVID-19 variant is likely to spread more globally, especially during the winter season. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also issued a global alert on the new COVID-19 variant XEC, which has similar symptoms to the earlier strain.
The XEC variant, a hybrid strain of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron, has been detected in several countries, including those with high vaccination rates. The organization further says that the XEC COVID-19 variant exhibited increased infectiousness and unique changes that may contribute to relatively higher immune evasion. The XEC variant is a recombinant strain, a hybrid resulting from a merger and rearrangement of two pre-existing COVID-19 subvariants: Omicron sublineages.
Although the NCDC has said that the new XEC COVID-19 variant has not been detected in Nigeria, there is need to be at high alert and observe all COVID-19 protocols. Also, the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention had in November urged the African Union (AU) member states to continue to enhance influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory syndrome surveillance to check SARS-CoV-2 cases as well as emerging variants.
We call on the federal and state governments to swing into action and ensure that all our disease surveillance systems are activated to check the entry of the new deadly XEC COVID-19 strain into the country. That is why there should be vigilance at all our entry points, including, land, sea and air borders. All passengers or travelers via these routes must be tested for the new XEC COVID-19 variant. There should be no complacency in the crusade to guard our borders and check the entry of this dangerous COVID-19 strain into the country.
The federal government should reintroduce the COVID-19 safety protocols, which unfortunately have been abandoned by many Nigerians. The safety protocols include regular hand washing with soap, social distancing, wearing of face masks in public places and avoiding crowds. This is the time to maintain high level of public hygiene. Nigerians are enjoined to keep proper respiratory hygiene, especially when sneezing or coughing. All cases of respiratory illness should be reported to hospitals for proper testing and treatment.
Apart from being vigilant, the federal and state health authorities should sensitize the public on the new COVID-19 strain and ensure that the people keep to all the safety protocols which are non-pharmaceutical. The enlightenment programme should be extended to schools, churches, market places and motor parks. Traditional and religious leaders should be incorporated in the enlightenment campaign, as well as civil society organizations and community leaders.
It is laudable that the federal government has directed all chief medical directors and medical directors of tertiary hospitals to activate alert systems for high index of suspicion in patients with COVID-like symptoms. In a circular, the Head of Teaching Hospital Division for Permanent Secretary, Dr. O.N. Anuma, said the new variant has shown a growth advantage over other circulating strains, raising concerns about its potential impact on public health.
“We request your committee to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to share critical data regarding this strain and implement enhanced monitoring protocols. Timely information sharing among relevant stakeholders, including Federal Ministry of Health will be vital for effective response strategies,” Anuma stated. We urge our health authorities, experts and health workers to be on the alert to checkmate the new XEC COVID-19 variant, which was first identified in Australia, but has now spread to 43 countries.