Coronavirus: Lagos Alerts Residents

The Lagos State government has alerted the public to a new virus, the new Coronavirus (nCoV) which is currently raging in China and has been reported in some countries, including the United States of America, which has caused no less than nine deaths.

In a statement released by the health commissioner, Professor Akin Abayomi, the government said that coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from colds to more serious illnesses such as respiratory syndrome. Middle East (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Abayomi explained that the new Coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans, adding that Coronaviruses are mainly infections of animals that can be transmitted to humans.

“On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) country office in China was informed of a group of pneumonia cases of unknown cause, detected in the city of Wuhan in the Chinese province. from Hubei. A new coronavirus was identified as the causative virus by the Chinese authorities on January 7.

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“As of January 22, 2020, a total of 471 cases had been confirmed in Southeast Asia and the United States with 9 deaths. There is now evidence that the infection can spread from person to person, “said the Commissioner.

He revealed that common signs and symptoms of infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing, adding that in more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome. , kidney failure and even death.

While noting that no case of virus has been identified in Lagos, Nigeria or elsewhere in Africa, the Commissioner stated that the state of Lagos is increasing its level of preparedness given the significant commercial traffic between Nigeria, the China and Thailand.

He said: “The Lagos State Biosecurity team, in collaboration with the Lagos University Hospital, is currently working on building urgent capacity to identify the virus in our biosecurity facilities and isolation rooms. located at the continent’s infectious diseases hospital in Yaba in case of suspected cases. arriving in Lagos State.

“We are in contact with the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) in Abuja to align our strategies. Above all, we are also collaborating with the Federal Ports Authority at air, land and sea border crossings to improve the control and surveillance of incoming travelers.”

Abayomi urged citizens to adopt and practice a high level of personal and environmental hygiene, including regular hand washing, covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, avoiding close contact with anyone with symptoms of respiratory illnesses such as coughing and sneezing and practicing good biosecurity precautions to be taken with domestic and wild animals as measures against the transmission of any contagious infection, nCoV included.

The Commissioner advised citizens from Southeast Asia or any country where the infection has been reported or who have been in contact with travelers from this region and who have the symptoms described above associated with the go to the nearest health facility for immediate assessment and treatment or call 08023169485, 08033565529 or 08052817243 for help.

“The Lagos state government is committed to the health and safety of its citizens and, therefore, there is no reason to panic or be alarmed. This alert is just to assure you that we are preparing for any eventuality as directed by the Governor, “he said.