By Nigerian Tracker
The Nigerian government has issued a warning about the newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant, which has spread to 29 countries globally.
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This variant was first reported in Australia and has shown a growth advantage over other circulating strains, raising concerns about its potential impact on public health.
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The XEC variant is a recombinant strain, meaning it is a hybrid of two pre-existing COVID subvariants.
It has mutations that may affect how the virus behaves or its potential impact on human health.
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To address this concern, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has written the Chairman, Committee of Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, advising hospitals to activate their alert systems and be on high alert for patients with COVID-like symptoms.
Symptoms: The symptoms of the XEC variant are similar to those of other COVID-19 strains, including cough, congestion, diarrhea, fever, and shortness of breath.
“Vaccination: The updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to provide protection against the XEC variant, although the effectiveness may vary.
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“Prevention: The usual precautions to prevent COVID-19 infection apply, including staying away from people who are sick, wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces, and following other recommendations provided by the CDC.”
