Nigeria Government declared early Friday morning that it would not issue travel ban from China or any other highly infected countries; as it confirmed the first case of Coronavirus disease in the country.
Addressing a press conference Friday morning in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, also said the government had already commencing contact tracing on the patient, an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned from Milan, Italy to Lagos last Tuesday.
The minister said the Government of Nigeria would not consider travel ban for now because it was working with the World Health Organization (WHO), and that the WHO has not given such directive.
Until such a directive comes from the WHO, Dr Osagie emphasised that the government would not consider it nor effect such ban.
The Minister stated that the government had already started working to identify all the contacts of the patient since he arrived in Nigeria.
He, however, cautioned Nigerians not to be panic as the government and its partners would do everything possible to contain the spread of the disease.
Specifically, the minister warned Nigerians not to abuse social media and indulge in spreading misinformation that causes tear and panic among the citizen.
“The Federal Ministry of Health. through Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, will continue to provide updates and will initiate all measures required to prevent the spread of an outbreak in Nigeria.” He said.
Dr Osagie pointed out that the Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case in Lagos State, Nigeria on Thursday; adding that it was the first case to be reported in Nigeria since the beginning of the outbreak in China in January 2020.
He said: “The case is an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned from Milan, Italy to Lagos, Nigeria on the 25th of February 2020. He was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Logos.
“The Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health, has been strengthening measures to ensure an outbreak in Nigeria is controlled and contained quickly. The multi-sectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has immediately activated its National Emergency Operations Centre and will work closely with Lagos State Health authorities to respond to this case and implement firm control measures.
“I wish to assure all Nigerians that have we have been beefing up our preparedness capabilities since the first confirmation of Coronavirus cases in China, and we will use all the resources made available by the government to respond to this case.
He reminded Nigerians that most people who become infected may experience only mild illness and recover easily, but added that it can be more severe in others, particularly the elderly and persons with other underlying chronic illnesses.
He advised that all Nigerians should take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others, including their own families.
The minister charged Nigerians to take certain precautions, which include: Regularly and thoroughly wash of hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Maintain at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing; while persons with persistent cough or sneezing should stay home or keep a social distance but not mix in-crowd.
Make sure you and people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene, meaning cover your mouth and nose with o handkerchief or tissue or into your sleeve at the bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Stay home if you feel unwell with symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Please call NCDC toll free number, which is available day and night, for guidance: 0800 970 0000-0010. Do not engage in self-medication.
Stay informed on the latest developments about COVlD-l9 through official channels on TV and Radio, including the Lagos State Ministry of Health, NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health.
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