The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has urged health authorities to activate heightened alert systems in response to the newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant that is rapidly spreading across the globe.

XEC is the latest in a long list of past and current COVID variants being monitored as the COVID-19 virus naturally evolves.

This directive comes after the strain, first identified in Australia, has now been confirmed in 29 countries.

This was contained in a letter dated December 5 but made available to PUNCH Online on Saturday, addressed to the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors, by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Head of the Teaching Hospital Division, Dr. O.N. Anuma.

The letter read, “I am directed to inform you of a newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant which has been reported in Australia and has already spread to 29 countries globally.

“You may wish to know that this variant has shown a growth advantage over other circulating strains, raising concerns about its potential impact on public health.”

Anuma emphasised the need for vigilance and immediate action.

“Alert systems should be immediately activated throughout our hospitals for high index of suspicion in patients with COVID-like symptoms,” he stated.

The directive also highlighted the importance of collaboration and timely information-sharing among health institutions and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to ensure an effective response.

Medical professionals are also urged to enhance monitoring protocols and share critical data on the XEC variant.

“We request your committee to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to share critical data regarding this strain and implement enhanced monitoring protocols.

“Timely information sharing among relevant stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Health will be vital for effective response strategies,” he warned.

In September, PUNCH Healthwise reported that XEC has spread across 27 countries, including France and the United States, infecting more than 600 people.

Findings by PUNCH Healthwise revealed that XEC was identified in Germany in June with more cases of the variant having since emerged in the UK, the US, Denmark and several other countries.

XEC has some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn, although vaccines should still help prevent severe cases, according to scientists.

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control has raised an alert over the circulation of counterfeit Combiart Dispersible Tablet 20/120mg in Nigeria.

NAFDAC disclosed this via a post on its X handle on Thursday.

According to the agency, the product is manufactured by Strides Arcolab Limited, based in India.

“This product was discovered in the FCT and Rivers State during surveillance activities conducted by officers of the Post Marketing Surveillance Directorate of NAFDAC.

“The laboratory report of the analysis carried out on the product revealed that it contained zero active pharmaceutical ingredients. The product was also observed to have two different date markings. The NAFDAC database of registered products confirmed that the product licence has expired, and the NAFDAC registration number on it is incorrect and does not belong to the product.

“The Artemether and Lumefantrine combination belongs to a group of medicines known as antimalarials. It treats malaria, a red blood cell infection transmitted by mosquito bites. However, this medicine is not used to treat severe or complicated malaria,” NAFDAC stated.

The agency warned that counterfeit medicines pose significant risks to health as they do not meet regulatory standards, meaning their safety, quality, and efficacy cannot be assured.

It added that counterfeit medicines often fail to effectively treat conditions, leading to severe health consequences, including death.

NAFDAC identified the product’s batch number as 7225119, with a NAFDAC registration number of A11-0299. It noted that the manufacturing dates on the product were June 2023 and February 2023, while the expiry dates were May 2026 and June 2026.

The manufacturer’s name and address were listed as:
Strides Arcolab Limited, 36/7, Suragajakkanahalli, Indlavadi Cross, Anekal Taluk, Bangalore (562 106), India.

The agency directed all its zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and remove the counterfeit products from circulation. Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers were urged to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products.

“All medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. The authenticity and physical condition of the products should be carefully checked,” NAFDAC advised.

Healthcare professionals and consumers were also urged to report any suspicion of substandard or falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office. Reports can also be made via the NAFDAC hotline at 0800-162-3322

Similarly, adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicines or devices should be reported through the NAFDAC e-reporting platform on its website, the Med-Safety app (available on Android and iOS)

NAFDAC noted that the alert will also be uploaded to the World Health Organisation Global Surveillance and Monitoring System.

By Francesca Hangeior

Experts in the field of urology and cardiology have identified uncontrolled hypertension and heart disease as the commonest causes of sudden death during sexual intercourse.

The physicians advised people with these conditions not to engage in sexual activities until they receive appropriate treatment and are certified fit for strenuous activities such as sex by experts.

One of the experts, a Consultant Urologist, Dr. Gabriel Ogah, said people with hypertension and heart disease should control them before engaging in sexual activities.

Ogah said because sex is a strenuous exercise, people must be medically fit to engage in the exercise.

The urologist who is the Managing Director, Ogah Hospital and Urology Centre, Fugar, Edo State, said young people rarely die during sex because they are fit for it.

Giving further insight into the issue, the senior medical practitioner said, “If you have hypertension, make sure you control it before you have sex. If you have heart disease, make sure you control it before you have sex. Because sex is a strenuous exercise, if people are not medically fit for it, especially if they have heart disease, they could die during the exercise. That is why people die during sex.

“You do an exercise that you do not have the power to do and because sex is sweet and intoxicating, he continues the exercise until the person gives up.

“People die during sex because they are not medically fit for the exercise and commonly, their main problem is that they have cardiac disease and people with cardiac disease are not supposed to engage in very strenuous exercise.

“And because sex is a strenuous exercise, it is an intoxicating exercise, it is a sweet exercise, so they don’t stop doing it until the exercise kills them.”

The physician reiterated that the commonest cause of death during sexual intercourse was a heart disease that was left untreated.

Ogah noted, “And when we talk about heart disease, hypertension is one of them.

“The blood pressure could go up during the exercise and you now have sudden death. High blood pressure that is not controlled and has not caused heart disease yet, can kill someone during sex because sex can make the blood pressure go up suddenly.”

He advised people to avoid using sex-enhancing drugs not medically prescribed.

“Don’t take sex-enhancing drugs which are not medically prescribed. Don’t take any sex-enhancing drugs without a doctor’s prescription”, he counseled.

Mayo Clinic says high blood pressure could impact sexual activity negatively especially in men, stressing that a link between high blood pressure and sexual problems has been proved in men.

“Over time, high blood pressure damages the lining of the blood vessels and causes arteries to harden and narrow (atherosclerosis), limiting blood flow. This means that less blood flows to the penis.

“For some men, the decreased blood flow makes it difficult to achieve and maintain erections. This problem is called erectile dysfunction. It’s fairly common.

“Even a single episode of erectile dysfunction can cause anxiety. Fears that it will happen again might lead men to avoid sex, which can affect their relationship with their sexual partners.

“High blood pressure can also interfere with ejaculation and reduce sexual desire. Some blood pressure medications may cause similar effects.

“Men should discuss any concerns with their doctors”, the clinic said.

Data from the American Heart Association says considerable apprehension often surrounds the issue of sudden cardiovascular arrest during physical activity, especially that related to sexual intercourse.

The association states that cardiovascular effects during coitus have been studied by monitoring volunteers.

“Hemodynamic changes, including increased heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure, have been identified, especially during orgasm.

“The increased cerebral perfusion pressure when intracranial pressure decreases abruptly during orgasm results in maximal wall tension in cerebral aneurysms, which could explain the higher proportion of subarachnoid hemorrhage”, it noted.

A heart specialist, Dr. John Asekhame, told our correspondent that most cases of sudden slump were linked to undiagnosed and untreated cases of cardiac and non-cardiac health conditions.

Asekhame, a Consultant Physician and Cardiologist with Providence Multi-Specialty Hospital, Abuja, said, uncontrolled blood pressure, malaria, low blood sugar, and excessive dehydration can cause a person to suddenly slump.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, a normal blood pressure range is less than 120/80 mmHg.

Uncontrolled blood pressure, according to Asekhame, can cause health problems like stroke and cardiac complications at any time without giving a sign.

The cardiologist urged Nigerians to embrace the culture of going to pharmacies and hospitals to check their blood pressure and get proper treatment if it is high.