Coronavirus: WHO lists Nigeria among high-risk African nations
- There are fears that Nigeria is at a high risk of recording its first case of Coronavirus
- This position was projected by WHO on Friday, January 31
- WHO said that this is because Nigeria is among African countries that have a large number of trips to China
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday, January 31, listed Nigeria among high-risk African nations for the Coronavirus.
WHO said that the African countries included in the list have direct links as well as a large number of travels to China and as such, have a high tendency of persons contacting the virus.
African nations on the list include Algeria, Angola, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria and Zambia.
The international health body said that it is making efforts to help nations of the world with the capacity for early detection of the disease.
It called on step up by putting in place screening mechanism at their airports and other key points of entry so as to fight against the spread of the epidemic.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that WHO had declared a global health emergency over the coronavirus which had killed at least 171 people in China and has now spread to at least 18 other countries.
The declaration was made by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO at the organisation's Geneva headquarters on Thursday, January 30.
"The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries," said WHO chief said.
He expressed concerns about the virus spreading to countries with weaker health systems and which are ill-prepared to deal with the disease.
He commended the Chinese authorities for the extraordinary measures they have taken to prevent the virus from spreading.
According to the CNBC, the Tedros disclosed that coronavirus has so far infected more than 8,200 people across the world. He said the global community must act together to stop the fast-spreading coronavirus.
He urged the public to remain calm, saying the WHO wasn't recommending measures that unnecessarily interfere with international trade or travel.
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Source: Legit.ng
