Italian Man In Lagos Confirmed As First Case Of Coronavirus Disease In Nigeria – Health Minister

The Minister of Health, Osagie Enahire, announced on Friday morning that an Italian man who arrived in Lagos State three days ago has been confirmed the first case of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria.

The Italian citizen who works in Nigeria, was said to have returned from Milan, Italy, to Lagos on Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

His infection was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

“The patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms,” said the minister, adding that he was being treated at a hospital in the Lagos district of Yaba.

“We have already started working to identify all the contacts of the patient, since he entered Nigeria,” said Ehanire.

The minister said authorities have been strengthening measures to ensure an outbreak in Nigeria is controlled and contained quickly.

There is no cure for the coronavirus, which can lead to pneumonia, and a vaccine may take up to 18 months to develop.

Radical quarantining measures have helped slow the rate of transmission in China of the virus, which can cause pneumonia, but it is picking up pace outside China.

Ehanire said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has activated its national Emergency Operations Centre and will work closely with Lagos State Health authorities to respond to this case and implement firm control measures.

He also urged citizens not to abuse social media and indulge in spreading misinformation that causes fear and panic.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government had announced a N36million cash prize for any Nigerian that finds cure for coronavirus and Lassa fever.

The N36 million reward was to encourage Nigerian scientists to venture into finding lasting solutions to human challenges to prove to the world that Nigeria has the capacity to address human problems not only at local scale but at global level.