26012020 - How bad an example was set in Zamfara

PAGE 32 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26 , 2020
AS CORONA VIRUS RAGES...
We are prepared to
handle disease – NCDC
By Sola Ogundipe
As global attention remains focused
on the outbreak of the novel
Coronavirus strain (2019nCoV)
that has continued to spread across the
world, the Federal Government says it is
well positioned to handle cases of
Coronavirus in the in the unlikely event that
it is detected in Nigeria.
The Head of Research and Knowledge
Management of the Nigeria Centre for
Disease Control, NCDC, Dr Chinwe Lucia
Ochu, who disclosed this in Lagos, said
Nigeria has put enough measures in place
to tackle such cases.
“The NCDC is well positioned to handle
any case of Coronavirus
that comes into the country.
We are better prepared to
manage Coronavirus if it
comes to Nigeria than we
were during the Ebola
outbreak. Our system has
been tested by other
infectious diseases over time,
and lessons learnt from
theses outbreaks has further
strengthened our capacity.”
Ochu, who spoke on a live
Channels TV Sunrise
programme “State of the
Nation”, said there is
collaboration between
China and the Nigerian
government especially
through screening of
incoming travelers.
“We are working closely
with the Federal Ministry of
Health Port Health Services
to screen passengers at
airports. We are confident
that the Ports Health’s
Service Division in the
Federal Ministry of Health
of Nigeria will be able to
detect these cases on time.”
Travelers
from Nigeria
to Wuhan,
China, are
advised to
avoid contact
with sick
people,
animals (alive
or dead), and
animal
markets
Further reassuring
Nigerians of government’s preparedness
and the measures in place to prevent
importation of the virus into Nigeria, Ochu
stated: “We are coordinating a multisectoral
group in collaboration with the Federal
Ministry of Health of Nigeria Ports Health
Service and partners to monitor the
Coronavirus outbreak in parts of the world
and developing preparedness measures.”
In the views of Dr Olaolu Aderinola, Head
of Response Division, NCDC: “No case of
Coronavirus has been detected in Nigeria.
We are working closely with the Federal
Ministry of Health Port Health Services to
screen incoming travelers at airports and
seaports. As information on the novel
Coronavirus is rapidly unfolding, the world
is working together on this.
“Symptoms of Coronavirus includes
coughing, sneezing, breathing difficulties.
Our message to Nigerians is to report
immediately to the nearest health facility if
you notice any of these symptoms.
“Health care workers should adhere to
standard precautions at all times to ensure
they protect themselves and
that preparedness measures
for the novel coronavirus is
a collective responsibility.”
According to the NCDC,
the case fatality rate from
the novel Coronavirus
outbreak in parts of the
world is very low.
“There has been no case
of CoronaVirus recorded in
Nigeria. No travel
restriction has been placed
by WHO. Our advice to
Nigerians is to limit contact
with animals if you must visit
China and ensure good
personal hygiene at all
times.”
On Thursday in response
to the outbreak in Wuhan,
China, the NCDC issued a
public health advisory
placing the Port Health
Services unit of the Federal
Ministry of Health in
Nigeria on alert and
heightened screening
measures at points of entry
Into the country.
In the advisory, travelers
from Nigeria to Wuhan, China, are advised
to avoid contact with sick people, animals
(alive or dead), and animal markets.
“Travelers from Wuhan to Nigeria, may
be asked questions upon arrival by the Port
Health Services unit at points of entry about
symptoms of illness and travel history, and
are advised to report immediately to
NCDC, if they feel ill after a trip to Wuhan.”
The advisory said the Federal Ministry of
Health through NCDC and its partners are
fully committed to strengthening
preparedness and response to infectious
disease outbreaks and that information will
be shared with the public as it becomes
available.
Meanwhile, WHO’s Regional Office for
Europe has officially been notified of the
first novel coronavirus cases in Europe.
Three cases have been confirmed in
France and WHO is in contact with the
relevant authorities. WHO encourages
countries in the European Region to
continue to prepare.
The NCDC noted that as this is a new
virus, and new information is emerging
every day, this advisory will be updated as
new information and research on the virus
and its impact on populations become
available.
It noted that the first case of the novel
coronavirus strain (2019nCoV) was
confirmed in China on the 7th of January,
2020.
“Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning
they are normally transmitted between
animals and people. A novel coronavirus
(nCoV) is a new strain of the virus that has
not been previously identified in humans.
The World Health Organization
(WHO) convened its Emergency
Committee on Thursday and said it was too
early to declare the outbreak a “Public
Health Event of International Concern”
(PHEIC).
Symptoms
This new coronavirus, 2019nCoV, appears
to cause mild to severe respiratory
symptoms like cough and breathing
difficulties. From current evidence, it
appears that death is a rare outcome, and
occurs mostly in patients with underlying
illness.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for disease
caused by the novel coronavirus yet.
However, many of the symptoms can be
treated. Therefore, treatment is based on
the patient’s clinical condition. In addition,
supportive care for infected persons can be
highly effective.
Nigeria’s
preparedness
and response
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
(NCDC) is currently coordinating a
multisectoral technical group that is
assessing and managing the risk of
importation to Nigeria. NCDC is in close
communication with the World Health
Organization (WHO) who is closely
monitoring the situation globally. WHO is
in direct communication with the
Government of China and other affected
countries, and has released technical and
travel guidance.
The Port Health Services unit of the
Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria has
been placed on alert and has heightened
screening measures at the points of entry.
In China, exit screening measures have been
enhanced for travellers from Wuhan city at
the Points of Entry (PoE) (airports and
ground transport stations) since the 14th of
January, 2020. This includes temperature
checks combined with provision of
information and masks to passengers with
fever, as well as directing symptomatic
passengers to health facilities for follow up.
Nigerians are advised to remain calm.
Travelers from Nigeria to Wuhan, China,
are advised to avoid contact with sick
people, animals (alive or dead), and animal
markets.
Travelers from Wuhan to Nigeria, may be
asked questions upon arrival by the Port
Health Services unit at points of entry about
symptoms of illness and travel history, and
are advised to report immediately to NCDC
if they feel ill after a trip to Wuhan.
How to
protect
yourself
To reduce the risk of spread of
coronavirus, members of the public are
advised to adhere to the following measures:
• Wash your hands regularly with soap
under running water.
• Cover your mouth and nose properly
with handkerchief or tissue paper when
sneezing and/or coughing. You may also
cough into your elbow if a handkerchief is
not available.
• Avoid close contact with anyone
showing symptoms of respiratory illness
such as coughing and sneezing.
• Avoid self-medication, report to the
nearest health facility when you experience
any of the above-mentioned symptoms.
• Healthcare workers are always advised
to observe standard infection prevention
and control measures when attending to
patients and take a travel history.