The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has confirmed the first case of the Omicron variant in the country.
This was contained in a press release issued by the centre and signed by the Director-General, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa in Abuja.
Dr. Adetifa said that two cases of the variant were discovered through genomic sequencing. He linked the cases to two passengers from South Africa.
“In line with the routine travel tests required of all international travellers, genomic sequencing at the NCDC through its National Reference Laboratory, Abuja, confirms Nigeria’s first case of the Omicron variant.
“Genomic sequencing of positive cases from routine day-two testing for travellers to Nigeria identified two cases of Omicron variant among travellers from South Africa who arrived in Nigeria last week.
“Retrospective sequencing of previously confirmed cases among travellers to Nigeria also identified the Omicron variant among samples collected in October 2021” he explained.
He added that the two patients were asymptomatic and contact tracing had begun.
The new variant has sparked global concerns due to fears it may spread faster and be resistant to vaccines. Following its discovery in South Africa, Omicron was first detected in Europe in Belgium on Nov. 27, 2021. Other European countries, including Germany, Italy, and the U.K., have confirmed cases. Australia also reported cases on Nov 28, 2021.
Similarly, the government of Canada had also stated that it discovered two cases of the variant from two passengers from Nigeria.
The Federal Government through the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, had, however, said that it was investigating the issue to get more details.
Nigeria has now joined nineteen countries in the world with the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which the World Health Organization has described as “a variant of concern”
