Omicron Variant: NCDC Confirms Three New COVID-19 Cases in Nigeria
These new cases were identified following initial detections made on December 1st.
All six individuals with the Omicron variant reportedly have recent travel histories linked to South Africa, as revealed in an official statement released by the NCDC on Tuesday.
Ongoing Genomic Surveillance
The NCDC noted that it is actively coordinating genomic surveillance through the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) to monitor and sequence positive COVID-19 samples, particularly from international travelers arriving in Nigeria.
“This includes sequencing of positive samples from international travellers from October 2021 to date,” the agency stated.
Despite the presence of Omicron, the Delta variant remains the dominant strain in Nigeria at the moment.
“So far, we have not seen the replacement of this variant by the new Omicron variant as observed elsewhere,” the NCDC clarified.
Why Omicron is a Concern
The agency highlighted that the Omicron variant remains a global concern due to its potential for increased transmissibility and the possibility of immune escape, meaning it might reduce the effectiveness of natural immunity or vaccine-induced protection.
“Taken together, and if true, the Omicron variant can significantly change the current global COVID-19 epidemiology,” the statement warned.
At this time, there is no evidence of widespread community transmission of the Omicron variant in Nigeria. However, the NCDC has reaffirmed its commitment to closely monitoring the situation.
“The NCDC will continue coordinating and implementing genomic surveillance activities in-country to keep Nigerians reliably informed about existing and emerging variants,” the statement read.
Nigeria on Red List
Following the emergence of Omicron, several countries, including the United Kingdom,
have added Nigeria to their travel red lists. This decision aligns with growing global concern over the variant’s rapid spread and uncertain behavior.
While such restrictions may appear frustrating, the NCDC acknowledged the cooperation of Nigerians in adapting to new public health measures.
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