NO EVIDENCE OF COVID VARIANT XEC IN NIGERIA.... Says Ministry Of Health.

Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate 
Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare 

"The general public is advised not to panic but continue with the universal precautions of observing personal hygiene including regular washing of hands." Health Ministry

Following reports earlier in the week insinuating of the presence of the COVID variant XEC in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has refuted the report, stating that there is no evidence of COVID variant XEC in Nigeria. 

The Ministry, in a statement issued and signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director Press and Public Relations Department, debunked the reports.

The statement emphasized on the  mandate of the Federal of Ministry of Health which, is to develop and implement policies that strengthen the national health system for effective, efficient, accessible and affordable delivery of healthcare services in partnership with other stakeholders.

It noted that, "In furtherance of the responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Health on the coordination, monitoring and evaluation of emerging infectious diseases and response activities in Federal Tertiary Hospitals across the country and other agencies in the health sector, it has become imperative to ensure uninterrupted health care services delivery to all Nigerians in the event of a disease outbreak.

"You may recall that a newly detected COVID variant XEC, was reported in Australia and has spread to about 29 Countries globally and has shown a more virulence over other circulating strains with concern over its possible impact on service delivery in our Federal Tertiary Hospitals." The statement read.

"In light of the above the general public is advised not to panic but continue with the universal precautions of observing personal hygiene including regular washing of hands.

"The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through her agencies has stepped up surveillance including at all entry points to Nigeria.

"The Federal Government has proactively upgraded our Federal Tertiary Hospitals by establishing Molecular Laboratories, Isolation centers, and intensive care units equipped with ventilators. 

"Since the COVID variant XEC has not been detected in Nigeria, it has therefore become imperative to correct the misinformation and fear of the general public concerning the resurgence of COVID-19 in Nigeria and ignore the contents of a letter Ref.No.DHS/INSPDIV/017/VOL.1/46 dated 5th December, 2024 that has been circulating in social media and go about their normal business." The statement concluded 

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director Information & Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.