Nigeria Issues Alert as New, Fast Growth COVID-19 Varient Discovered in Australia
A new COVID-19 variant named XEC has been reported to have emerged in Australia and fears are that it has already spread to 29 other countries globally.
This information was released penultimate Thursday in a letter from the Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to the chairman Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors informing them that the variant “has shown a growth advantage over other circulating strains, raising concerns about its potential impact on public health.
In the letter signed by Dr. O. N. Anuma who is head of Teaching Hospital Division requests the relevant authorities that “alert systems be immediately activated throughout our hospitals for high index of suspicion in patients with COVID-like symptoms”.
Dr Anuma emphasized the need for collaboration ”with all relevant stakeholders to share critical data regarding this strain and implement enhanced monitoring protocols”.
He added that “timely information sharing among relevant stake holders including Federal Ministry of Health will be vital for effective response strategies.”