The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is monitoring two new COVID-19 subvariants, EG.5 and BA.2.86.
EG.5 is a sublineage of the omicron variant and has been detected in 51 countries. The WHO has designated it as a variant of interest.
BA.2.86 is a descendent lineage of BA.2, another sublineage of omicron. It has been reported in a handful of countries, including the United Kingdom, Israel, Denmark, South Africa, and the United States.
The NCDC said it is closely monitoring the epidemiology of COVID-19, including emerging variants. The agency said it is carrying out genomics surveillance and encouraging testing locations in states to ensure their positive samples are sent on to the NCDC for sequencing.
“In addition, EG.5 has not been associated with any change in symptoms or a 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. So far, only one case of EG.5 has been seen in Africa, it has not been identified in Nigeria,” the statement read in part.
The NCDC said there is no need to cause unnecessary anxiety and panic. The agency said COVID-19 is here to stay, but it is now mainly a problem for those at high risk.
The agency advised people to continue to take precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19, such as getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a mask in public indoor settings, and washing their hands frequently.
