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NCDC Allays Fears Over COVID-19 XEC Variant
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) yesterday allayed fears over the newly detected COVID-19 XEC variant reportedly in circulation in Australia.
The NCDC, in a statement, yesterday, noted that the National COVID-19 Technical Working Group continues to monitor and conduct analyses of surveillance data both internationally and across the country to guide public health response activities.
It also said in line with the emergency preparedness and response strategy, it has continuously upgraded and updated the strategies and capabilities for a quick and effective response; and a dynamic risk assessment/readiness assessment is being organised to guide in developing a plan of action.
The Federal Government, had through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, urged health authorities to activate heightened alert systems in response to the newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant that is rapidly spreading across the globe.
XEC is the latest in a long list of past and current COVID variants being monitored as the COVID-19 virus naturally evolves.
This directive comes after the strain, first identified in Australia, has now been confirmed in 29 countries.
This was contained in a letter dated December 5, addressed to the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors, by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Head of the Teaching Hospital Division, Dr. O.N. Anuma.
The letter read, “I am directed to inform you of a newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant which has been reported in Australia and has already spread to 29 countries globally.
“You may wish to know that this variant has shown a growth advantage over other circulating strains, raising concerns about its potential impact on public health.”
Anuma emphasised the need for vigilance and immediate action.
“Alert systems should be immediately activated throughout our hospitals for high index of suspicion in patients with COVID-like symptoms,” he stated.
The directive also highlighted the importance of collaboration and timely information-sharing among health institutions and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to ensure an effective response.
Medical professionals are also urged to enhance monitoring protocols and share critical data on the XEC variant.
“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 the Federal Ministry of Health will be vital for effective response strategies,” he warned.
However, NCDS said there is no need for unnecessary anxiety or panic over the disease variant.
The Agency, in a statement yesterday, said, “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention considers it necessary to make this statement to allay the fears created in the public space about the Covid-19 variant reportedly in circulation in Australia. The recent detection of the SARS-CoV-2 XEC sub-variant—a descendant of the Omicron lineage—has highlighted the ongoing evolution of the COVID-19 virus.
“For the information of our people, there are many variants of SARS-COVID-2 being monitored globally. Currently, the JN.1, classified as the Variant of Interest, is now reported in 132 countries, including the United States, India, Australia, the United Kingdom, China, New Zealand, Thailand, Canada, and Singapore, and Nigeria. A VOI is not yet deemed to pose serious risk.
“The XEC is a subvariant of JN.1 and has been designated as the Variant Under Monitoring i.e. being watched for potential concerns and not considered to pose a significant risk, and not yet meet the criteria for designation as VOI.
“There has been a reported rise in COVID-19 cases linked to the XEC variant, which has been detected
so far in 43 countries across different continents, Europe, Asia, North America, and recently in Botswana, Africa. Though the JN.1 has been reported in Nigeria since January 2024, the XEC variants, which are descendants of the Omicron lineage JN.1 are yet to be detected in Nigeria.”
NCDC noted that the JN.1 sub-variants are dominant globally and are the fastest growing among currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2.
It added that while the XEC subvariant has exhibited higher transmissibility as compared to other variants, it has not shown evidence of increased severity.
“The National COVID-19 Technical Working Group continues to monitor and conduct analyses of surveillance data both internationally and across the country to guide public health response activities.
“In line with our emergency preparedness and response strategy, we have continuously upgraded and updating our strategies and capabilities (surveillance, detection, stockpiling, training inclusive) for a quick and effective response. Along this line, a dynamic risk assessment / readiness assessment is being organised to guide us in developing a plan of action.
“Meanwhile, we urge all health facilities, both public and private, to increase the testing for COVID-19 on suspected patients. All positive samples are encouraged to be sent to the NCDC laboratory and other public health accredited laboratories for sequencing,” it said.
It noted that “COVID-19 remains a significant risk, particularly for the elderly, individuals with underlying chronic illnesses, those undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, and individuals with suppressed immune systems,” it added.
The agency advised the public to continue to adhere to the basic public health safety measures and simple precautions such as maintaining good personal hygiene; covering of mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing or into a bent elbow, using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60 per cent alcohol if soap and water are not available; wearing masks; physical distancing; staying vigilant; getting tested; and getting vaccinated.
It encouraged healthcare workers to test patients presenting with respiratory or febrile symptoms; practice hand hygiene, use personal protective equipment, and follow hospital-based infection prevention and control measures to limit disease spread.
It also urged state governments and policy makers to promote public health campaigns to educate communities about preventive measures and the importance of seeking medical attention early.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.
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