Onyebuchi EzigboThe World Health Organisation yesterday listed Nigeria among 13 African countries identified as high-risk for the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti said: “To ensure rapid detection of the novel coronavirus, it is important to have laboratories which can test samples and WHO is supporting countries to improve their testing capacity. Since this is a new virus, there are currently only two referral laboratories in the African region which have the reagents needed to conduct such tests.
The Chief Executive Officer, NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said: “Coronavirus Preparedness Group has been constituted to carry out regular epidemic intelligence gathering, enhanced surveillance at the points of entry, intensive risk communications, strengthen laboratory capacity for testing, placing National First Rapid Response Team to highly pathogenic infections on alert, scaling up of Public Health Emergency Operation Centres in states, among other measures.
The NCDC also noted that the country’s Port Health Services unit had heightened screening measures at points of entry, adding that in addition to automated thermal screening at points of entry, travellers from China to Nigeria were asked questions upon arrival by the Port Health Services unit about symptoms of illness and travel history and were advised to contact NCDC if they feel unwell after a trip to Wuhan.
It said it had put major travel restrictions in the main affected areas in China and air passengers traveling from Wuhan, China were screened on exit to prevent the exportation of the virus. Against the background of recent decision by the WHO to declare the coronavirus a global public health emergency, Mohammed said his ministry would mobilise all public communication platform at the government’s disposal, which would be deployed to ensure massive sensitisation of the Nigerian public on safety practices.
From China to Nigeria? Make news don't make us scared Abeg.
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