The Nigerian Center for Disease control, NCDC has detected a confirmed case with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, also known as lineage B.1.617.2.
The Director General of the center, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu Center, in a statement said the variant was detected following a routine travel test required of all international travelers and genomic sequencing at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, Abuja.
The Delta variant is recognised by the World Health Organization, WHO as a variant of concern, given its increased transmissibility.
The variant has been detected in over 90 countries and is expected to spread to more countries and it has also been linked to a surge in case where it is the dominant strain in circulation.
The Federal Government through the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) has initiated measures to reduce the risk of spread, including travel restrictions from countries where there is a surge in cases associated with variants.
The NCDC called for strict adherence to public health and social safety measures.
States are urged to ensure sample collection and testing are accessible to the public while public settings like schools with accommodation facilities, workplaces and camps were asked to utilise the approved Antigen-based Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) for rapid testing.
Although we have seen a low number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria in the last eight weeks, it is incredibly important that we do not forget to be careful, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu added.
RN