Deadly Delta Variant Confirmed In Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), on Thursday 8 JULY 2021, said it had detected a confirmed case with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, also known as lineage B.1.617.2.

The variant was detected in a traveller 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 recognized 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, according to the NCDC.

The NCDC Head of Communications, Dr Yahya Disu, in the statement said the variant had also been linked to a surge in cases in countries where it is the dominant strain in circulation.

“The national travel protocol which includes compulsory seven-day self-isolation and repeat test on the seventh day after arrival, are in place to reduce the risk of spread of the virus.

It is very important that this is strictly adhered to, to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria. Given the high transmissibility of the Delta variant and following its detection in Nigeria, NCDC urges all Nigerians to ensure strict adherence to public health and social measures in place,” the statement said.