COVID-19: Pregnant, breastfeeding women should take precautions - NCDC

- Pregnant and breastfeeding women have been advised to take routine preventative actions to avoid contracting COVID-19

- The advice was given by the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu

- The NCDC boss said pregnant women have had a higher risk of severe illness when infected with viruses from same family as COVID-19

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has advised pregnant and breastfeeding women to take routine preventative actions to avoid contracting COVID-19.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of NCDC, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday, April 24.

“Pregnant women have had a higher risk of severe illness when infected with viruses from the same family as COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections such as influenza.

“Therefore, pregnant women should take the same precautions as the general public to avoid COVID-19 infection.

“Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on a daily basis. If possible, stay home for the entire duration of the pregnancy except for ante-natal care hospital visits.”

Ihekweazu said breast milk provided protection against many illnesses and was the best source of nutrition for infants.

He said that another good option was to pump or express by hand breast milk and have someone not sick to feed the baby.

Sexual and reproductive health is a significant public health issue during epidemics, and safe pregnancy and childbirth can be a challenge in a country like Nigeria where functioning health systems is a luxury.

There is no information on adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with COVID-19.

There is also no specific treatment or vaccine for coronavirus as at today, Saturday, April 25 even as scientists all over the world are working on it.

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Recall that Dr Ihekweazu recently informed Nigerians that life won’t return to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

Ihekweazu stated this while speaking on a radio programme monitored in Lagos on Monday, April 20.

The NCDC boss warned Nigerians that a return to the pre-COVID lifestyle, once the current restrictions are relaxed, could bring about a high resurgence of the infection.

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