NCDC confirms case of COVID-19 Delta variant
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has confirmed a case with the highly transmissible COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant, also known as lineage B.1.617.2.
The Head of Communications, NCDC, Dr Yahya Disu, who announced the development in a statement on Thursday, said the variant was detected in a traveler to Nigeria, following the routine travel test required of all international travelers and genomic sequencing at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, Abuja.
According to Disu, the Delta variant is recognised by the World Health Organisation, WHO, as a variant of concern, given its increased transmissibility.
He said the variant which has been detected in over 90 countries is expected to spread to more countries has also been linked to a surge in cases in countries where it is the dominant strain in circulation even as there are ongoing studies to understand the impact of the variant on existing vaccines and therapeutics.
“As part of Nigeria’s COVID-19 response, NCDC has been working with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, African Centre for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, ACEGID, and other laboratories within the national network, to carry out genomic sequencing.
“This is to enable the detection of variants of concern, and initiate response activities. All data on variants from Nigeria have been published on GISAID, a global mechanism for sharing sequencing data.”
According to the NCDC spokeslerson, given the global risk of spread of the Delta variant, positive samples from international travelers to Nigeria are sequenced regularly.
“The Government of Nigeria through the Presidential Steering Committee, PSC, has initiated several measures to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19. This includes the introduction of travel restrictions from countries where there is a surge in cases associated with widespread prevalence of variants of concern.
“The national travel protocol which includes compulsory seven-day self-isolation and repeat test on the seventh day after arrival, are in place to reduce the risk of spread of the virus. It is very important that this is strictly adhered to, to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria.”
Disu stated that given the high transmissibility of the Delta variant and following its detection in Nigeria, the NCDC urges all Nigerians to ensure strict adherence to public health and social measures in place.
“Proven public health and social measures such as physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and proper use of face masks, prevent infections and save lives.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and offers protection against the disease. Additionally, states are urged to ensure sample collection and testing for COVID-19 is accessible to the public.
“Public settings such as schools with accommodation facilities, workplaces and camps should utilise the approved Antigen-based Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) for rapid testing of their population.
On his part, the Director General of the NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, stated: “Although we have seen a low number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria in the last eight weeks, it is incredibly important that we do not forget to be careful. The surge in cases in countries across the world and Africa is an important reminder of the risk we face.
“Please protect yourselves and the people you love by adhering to the known public health and social measures, getting vaccinated if you are eligible and getting tested if you have symptoms”.
He said the recommended control measures to limit the spread of the Delta variant continue to be testing, following the existing public health guidance and abiding by the current travel and public restrictions
About author
You might also like
FG sets up emergency centre for routine immunisation
The Federal Government on Monday set up an Emergency Centre that would help coordinate routine immunization programmes for the country. The centre, National Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Centre (NERICC) will
Meningitis Outbreak: New cases decline – NCDC
Sokoto commences vaccination campaign Targets 2 million people ABUJA, SOKOTO – The number of new cases of suspected meningitis being reported has begun to decline as outbreak control measures take
EDSG Inaugurates Health Research Ethics Committee
Commences domestication and implementation of National Health Act 2014 Edo State government formally kicked off the domestication and implementation of the National Health Act 2014 recently as the State Commissioner
0 Comments
No Comments Yet!
You can be first to comment this post!