By Bukola Afeni
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said that only one case of EG.5 has been seen in Africa, stating that it has not been identified in Nigeria.
The health body noted that it recently discovered/reported BA.2.86, which is a descendant lineage of BA.2 (a sublineage of Omicron, also found in Nigeria in 2022).
He also gave assurance that the body is monitoring the new subvariants of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, named EG.5 and BA.2.86 in Nigeria.
NCDC in a statement signed by Director General of the NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, said its COVID-19 Technical Working Group has been monitoring emerging variants from local to global level.
” The EG.5 variant is a descendant of XBB.1.9.2, a descendant of Omicron
There is nothing significantly new with the emerging variants of the virus, which is now “mainly a problem for only those at high risk, the elderly, and those with underlying chronic illnesses”, he said.
He urged fellow citizens and media practitioners to act responsibly and share only verified information.
” There is no need to cause unnecessary anxiety and panic. We have consistently advised, that COVID-19 is here to stay and is now mainly a problem for those at high risk. The elderly, and those with underlying chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, and diabetes.
“Those on cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients and those whose immune systems are suppressed for one reason or the other,” he said.
NCDC added that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had classified EG.5 as a “variant of interest” (VOI) and conducted a risk assessment which found that it poses a low risk at the global level.
NCDC further said that EG.5 has not been associated with any change in symptoms/clinical manifestation and has not produced an increase in severity of illness and/or hospitalisations or difference in death rates in reporting countries.
“EG.5 causes symptoms like those seen with other COVID-19 variants, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, and sore throat.
The Center additionally said there have been few cases of the virus identified, so far, and there is not enough information to make conclusive assessments of virulence, transmission, and severity.
The Health body mentioned that it did not expect the variants to be much different from other omicron descendants currently circulating.
“Although the ancestor, BA.2 has been previously found in Nigeria, no BA.2.86 variant has been identified in Nigeria.
We will keep Nigerians updated, as may be required with scientifically sound and evidence-based information on any changes in SARS-COV-2 epidemiology.”
