genomic sequencinggenomic surveillance

To facilitate early detection of new strains and variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) is now conducting genomic sequencing of all positive samples from travellers arriving Nigeria. This development was highlighted in the center’s Weekly Epidemiological Report for Week 15. From South Africa to Egypt, England and India, new strains of the virus are being identified with potential implications on virulence and vaccine effectiveness. Last week, the World Health Organisation