Nigeria Centre for
Disease Control (NCDC) has advised Nigerians to protect themselves against the
new Chinese coronavirus disease.
First identified by
Chinese researchers with the pathogen behind a mysterious illness that had
sickened 59 people in Wuhan, a city of 11 million in Central China, coronavirus
is a group of viruses common among animals but now confirmed that it could also
infect humans.
The NCDC Director-General,
Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, therefore, in a public health advisory on Wednesday,
stated that the sypmptoms of the new coronavirus 2019nCoV appeared to cause
mild to severe respiratory symptoms like cough and breathing difficulties.
He noted that “from
current evidence, it appears that death is a rare outcome, mostly in patients
with underlying illness.”
Ihekweazu explained in
the advisory that there was no specific treatment for disease caused by the
novel coronavirus yet, but many of the symptoms could be treated.
He stated that
“treatment is based on the patient’s clinical condition. In addition,
supportive care for infected persons can be highly effective.”
The NCDC boss, who
noted that the centre was currently coordinating a multisectoral technical
group in assessing and managing the risk of importing the virus to Nigeria,
said “NCDC is in close communication with World Health Organisation (WHO) which
is closely monitoring the situation globally. “
He added that while
the Port Health Services unit of Federal Ministry of Health had been placed on
alert and had heightened screening measures at points of entry, Nigerians could
maintain some simple hygiene measures to keep safe.
He advised Nigerians
to adhere to the following measures to protect themselves:
• 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
should always observe standard infection prevention and control measures when
attending to patients and take a travel history.
(NAN)