CORONAVIRUS CONFIRMED IN NIGERIA AND ITS PREVENTION
The Nigerian government, through the ministry of health, has confirmed the country’s first case of coronavirus.
The case was confirmed on February 27, 2020 as an Italian business traveler, who arrived in Lagos, a densely populated state from Milan on February 25, 2020, was diagnosed and the result came positive.
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.
In its containment efforts, the ministry of health also says it has commenced 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.
Nigerian public health officials are being a lot more deliberate about their preparations, from issuing public health advisories to conducting specialized training for rapid response teams across every state in the country.
Some of the optimism and quiet confidence around the coronavirus threat in Nigeria in particular has been the relative transparency and communication efforts by the authorities in trying to both inform and calm speculation about the disease.
HOW TO PREVENT CORONAVIRUS:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol –based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Stay home when you are sick.
Below are coronavirus toll-free emergency numbers…
0909 299 6283 (call)
0809 555 3232 (call)
0708 711 0839 WhatsApp
0809 955 5577 SMS.
Source: NCDC
