BENIN – The Nigerian government has confirmed the second case of coronavirus in the country.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, announced this on Monday at a press conference in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Ehanire briefed reporters at the boardroom of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where he gave an update on the coronavirus infection in the country.
He, however, noted that the newly confirmed case was a contact of the index case and not an importation into the country.
The minister said, “It is my duty, therefore, to announce a new case of coronavirus disease (CIVID-19) in Nigeria.”
“One of the important response strategies at the containment stage has been to identify all contacts, ensure their strict isolation, and to follow up daily with checks for any symptoms of the disease.
“Following recent experience from other countries and evident from newly published studies on non-symptomatic infections, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), advised that samples should be taken from all contacts of the index case for testing.
“It is in this process that these two cases were detected.”
The minister’s statement is below:
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH
OFFICE OF THE HONOURABLE MINISTER
09th Mar.. 2020
UPDATE ON COVID.19 IN NIGERIA
Two new developments have faken place since the last briefing in Abuja on the coronavirus situation in Nigeria.
The first is that a team of researchers from various institutions in Nigeria. led by top scientists of the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Lagos, combined their efforts to successfully perform the genome sequencing of the coronavirus strain that the index case brought to Nigeria and proved it to be a match With the virus circulating in Italy and Wuhan. It is the first time the sequencing of this virus has been performed in Africa. The result has been shored with International Authorities and the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has extended congratulations to Nigerian scientists for this achievement.
The other development is that contact tracing and monitoring in respect of the caronavirus index case presently receiving treatment in Lagos. has been diligently and conscientiously pursued since the 27th Of February when the case was first diagnosed. As you know, 40 persons in Ogun and in Lagos are under isolation and have remained free Of any symptoms since. Nevertheless, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), following best practice, decided to test these persons for possible presence of coronavirus in their systems. On the 8th Of March, scientists confirmed the presence of coronovirus in one of the contacts.
It is my duly therefore to announce a new case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria. The newly confirmed case is an Ogun State contact Of the index but he has no significant clinical symptoms, This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria today to 2 (two),
Since beginning of the outbreak in China and subsequent spread to other countries, one of the important response strategies at the containment stage. has been to identify all contacts, ensure their strict
isolation and to follow UP daily with checks for any symptoms Of the disease. Following recent experience from other countries and evidence from newly published studies on non-symptomatic infections, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), advised that samples should be taken from all contacts of the index case for testing. It is in this process that these two cases were detected,
I repeat that the newly confirnned case in Nigeria is not a new importation, but a contact of the index case, who has since been in isolation and was under clinical follow UP. He presently does not have any clinical symptoms, is comfortable and in core at Infectious Disease Hospital, Lagos.
Recent studies in China have shown that increased surveillance, selfisolation and in particular, contact tracing, do reduce risk of spread, because further opportunities for transmission of the virus by the infected patient in the community are limited.
All other contacts of the index case in Ogun and Lagos will remain in isolation and testing will be carried out on those not yet tested, including some in Other states.
The Federal Ministry of Heath, and Lagos and Ogun State Ministries Of Health, assure citizens of our commitment to do all needed to control spread of lhis outbreak. Since the first case was confirrned in Nigeria on the 27th of February ‘2020, the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Abuja, continues to work closely with Logos and Ogun State EOCs to coordinate response activities,
I again strongly advise against spreading misinformation to cause fear and panic, The Federal Ministry Of Health and NCDC will continue to provide prompt and reliable updates and initiate all measures required to protect our people,
A globally emerging lesson here is that some people Who contracted COVID-19 appear to experience zero symptoms or only mild illness and will recover; however, other patients develop more severe symptoms, especially if they have other underlying illnesses, or are weakened by old age, urge Nigerians to take care of their health and protect others by continuing to do the following:
Regularly and thoroughly wash hands with soap & water for at least
30 seconds, if not possible use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
Maintain at least 2 metres (S feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing repeatedly
Be sure yoo and people around you follow good respiratory hygiene. meaningr to cover the mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief if coughing or sneezing and disposing of used tissue immediately, Alternatively. use your bent elbow when YOU cough or sneeze, and no tissue is available
Not to mingle with people or to congregate, but instead stay at home if you feel unwell with symptoms like fever. cough. sneezing, difficulty in breathing
Please call NCDC toll-free number which is available 24/7 for guidance:
0800 9700 0010.
DO not engage in lengthy self-medication.
Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 through official channels including Lagos State Minist0′ of Health, Ogun State Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Federal Ministry of Health.
Dr. E. Osagie Ehanire MD, FWACS
Honourable Minister of Health