Covid-19 variant XEC: How you fit protect yourself and your family dis festive period

As pipo don begin dey travel to visit dia family and friends dis festive period, new variant of Covid-19 (XEC variant) dey spread globally.

Pipo don dey catch di new variant across Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, Australia and US.

Di new Covid-19 (XEC variant) wey don spread globally na variant subvariant of di SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain.

On Saturday, federal of ministry of health warn Nigerians against di new variant of Covid-19 wey don spread to 29 kontris globally, as di federal health care services don put in place measures to reduce di spread on di infection at di point of entry into Nigeria.

Also, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention don warn against di spread across di Africa continent, afta Botswana record one case from an European traveller but di kontri transfer di pesin go South Africa for treatment.

No evidence of di new variant for Nigeria, but Africa CDC don recommend AU Member States make dem kontinu to vaccinate pipo wit updated Covid-19 vaccines.

Some kontris including Nigeria don begin put in place measures for dia airports and seaports to ensure say travellers wey wan come into dia kontri fit travel safely as new variant dey spread.

Federal goment don advise Nigerians and travellersmake dem no fear but kontinu wit di universal precautions of personal hygiene and regular washing of hands.

Also, federal goment don upgrade hospitals, molecular laboratories, isolation centers, and intensive care units with quality facilities and ventilators.

Symptoms of Covid-19 XEC

Di new variant dey similar to oda Covid variants wit di same disease and genetic information. So symptoms likehigh temperature, headaches, sore throat or cough, tiredness, runny nose, diarrhoea, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell and body pains, according to WHO.

Di symptoms fit start out as mild, e dey spread quick as e dey progress and pipo dey feel betta afta treatment but e dey take longer to recover.

In September 2024, WHO Strategic Advisory Group on Immunization don send advisory on di updated Covid-19 vaccines dey protect against di new variants wey dey spread and na only one shot of di vaccine most pipo need.

WHO vaccination recommendation

WHO don recommend six to 12 months vaccination space afta your last vaccination dose to help reduce new covid spread globally.

Adults ova 75 or 80 years old na afta 6 months

Adults ova 50 or 60 years old wit health challenge afta six months

Adults, adolescents and children wey get poor immune system na afta 6 months.

Meanwhile odas fit get dia dose afta12 months:

Adults over 50 or 60 years old afta12 months

Health workers wit direct patient contact

For pregnant women, suppose get one single dose for each pregnancy period.