The Nigerian government, through its health ministry, has confirmed the country’s first case of coronavirus.
The case was confirmed on Feb. 27 as an Italian business traveler who arrived in Lagos from Milan on Feb. 25—Nigeria’s densely populated economic capital. The diagnosis was confirmed at the virology laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
Authorities say the patient is “clinically stable” and is being treated at a dedicated facility for infectious diseases. As part of containment efforts, the health ministry also says it has began working to identify and track down possible contacts of the country’s index case.
Nigeria’s minister of health also says the country’s Centre for Disease Control has activated a national emergency operation center to respond to the confirmed case and other potential infections.
With the first confirmed coronavirus cases now popping up on the continent (Egypt has confirmed one case while Algeria has confirmed two), fears will inevitably grow across Africa especially given relatively weaker public health systems. Yet, several African countries have been proactive in preparing for possible outbreaks, setting up airport checks to detect symptoms, bio-facilities for quarantine and laboratories for quick diagnosis of the virus.
Public health specialists also suggest that African countries previously affected by Ebola will now have increased knowledge bases of how to handle viral outbreaks.
Source : Quartz Africa
Copyright © 2020 Totorinews.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Totorinews.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without giving due credit to Totorinews.com as the source.
