Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed a corona virus diseases (CONVID-19) case in Lagos State, South West, Nigeria. The virus which was announced in China in the beginning of 2020 was first confirmed early Friday Morning.
The case was confirmed on an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned from Milan, Italy to Lagos, on the 25th February, 2020. He was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of 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, Lagos.
In a statement which was personally signed by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, he said the Ministry has been strengthening measure to ensure an outbreak in Nigeria is controlled and contained quickly. The multi-sectoral Corona Virus 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.
The Minister said, work has started to identify all the contacts of the patient, since he entered Nigeria. While reminding Nigerians that those who become infected may experience only mild illness and recover easily, “but it can be more severe in others particularly the elderly and persons with other underlying chronic illnesses.”
“All Nigerians should take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others including their own families, following the precautions:
“Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water and use alcohol based hand sanitizer.
“Maintain at least one and half metres (5 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
“Persons with persistent cough or sneezing should stay home or keep a social distance, but not mix in crowd.
“Make sure you and the people around you follow good respiratory hygiene, meaning cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or into your sleeve. 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 – 0800-970000-10. Do not engage in self medication.
“Stray informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 through official channels.
