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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
