The Port Health Services of the Federal Ministry of Health as stated that the nation’s ports are all on red alert following the spread of the deadly Coronavirus from China to other countries in the world.
It would be recalled that the virus has been detected in Cote d’Ivoire, one of Nigeria’s neighbour in the Gulf Of Guinea (GoG).
Responding to enquiries on the matter by Tribune Online, an Environmental Health Officer of the Port Health Services who simply identified himself as Mr Adeboyejo stated that once there is any sign of the virus in any Nigerian ports, the Center for Disease Control will be immediately alerted.
According to a text message from Mr Adeboyejo who is attached to the Port Harcourt port in Rivers State, “For now, we are on red alert.
“If we see any sign of the virus at any ports in Nigeria, the centre for diseases control will be the first to be notified immediately.”
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It would be recalled that the West Africa Health Organisation, WAHO, on Monday warned countries in the region to intensify thermal camera surveillance on international borders; saying a suspected case of the new coronavirus infection has been detected on arrival at Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast.
WAHO, in a statement by Stanley Okoro, its Director-General, said though the patient has been isolated for more confirmatory tests, collaboration among ECOWAS member states remained critical to containing the spread of the disease in West Africa.
He said: “WAHO, the Institution of ECOWAS for health, fully supports WHO’s recommendations to countries regarding active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, and contact tracing to prevent further spread of the recent outbreak of Coronavirus infection.
“It is therefore critical that all countries collaborate with each other to take precautionary measures since cases may appear in any country due to international travel.
“WAHO is coordinating with the Member States to share real-time information on the outbreak, enhance communication between countries and strengthen countries’ surveillance capacity, including early detection of suspected cases through thermal camera surveillance at international borders.
“One such suspected case arriving Abidjan airport recently was immediately detected and isolated and tests are now being performed to confirm whether this is a case of coronavirus or not.
“WAHO has implemented a regional laboratory network for access to rapid biological diagnostic facilities by the Member States and has a standby Regional Rapid Response Team to support countries if required.
“WAHO will continue to monitor and provide regular updates on this rapidly changing situation, and the ongoing measures to protect the region and the people.”
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
The first case was reported in Wuhan Province of China in December 2019 and confirmed to be Coronavirus on 7 January 2020.
However, as of 27 January 2020, about 3000 cases have been confirmed across the world, with 2744 cases and 80 deaths in China alone.
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