The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it has confirmed a case of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, also known as lineage B.1.617.2.
The variant was detected in a traveler to Nigeria, following the 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. It has also been linked to a surge in cases in countries where it is the dominant strain in circulation.
There are ongoing studies to understand the impact of the variant on existing vaccines and therapeutics.
As part of Nigeria’s COVID-19 response, NCDC says it has been working with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), African Centre for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), and other laboratories within the national network, to carry out genomic sequencing.
“This is to enable the detection of variants of concern, and initiate response activities. All data on variants from Nigeria have been published on GISAID, a global mechanism for sharing sequencing data.
“Given the global risk of spread of the Delta variant, positive samples from international travelers to Nigeria are sequenced regularly,” the NCDC said in a statement.
Given the high transmissibility of the Delta variant and following its detection in Nigeria, NCDC urged all Nigerians to ensure strict adherence to public health and social measures in place.
It said proven public health and social measures such as physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and proper use of face masks prevent infections and save lives.
It added also that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and offers protection against the disease.
The centre advised that settings such as schools with accommodation facilities, workplaces and camps should utilise the approved Antigen-based Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) for rapid testing of their population.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said: “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.
“The surge in cases in countries across the world and Africa is an important reminder of the risk we face. Please, protect yourselves and the people you love by adhering to the known public health and social measures, getting vaccinated if you are eligible and getting tested if you have symptoms.”
“The recommended control measures to limit the spread of the Delta variant continue to be testing, following the existing public health guidance and abiding by the current travel and public restrictions.”