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Nigeria Responds to First Coronavirus Case in Sub-Saharan Africa Nigeria Responds to First Coronavirus Case in Sub-Saharan Africa
(1 day later)
DAKAR, Senegal — An Italian contractor who flew into Nigeria from Milan became sub-Saharan Africa’s first confirmed coronavirus patient on Friday, stoking concern that an outbreak on the continent could overwhelm already strained health care systems.DAKAR, Senegal — An Italian contractor who flew into Nigeria from Milan became sub-Saharan Africa’s first confirmed coronavirus patient on Friday, stoking concern that an outbreak on the continent could overwhelm already strained health care systems.
The patient, a young man, had no symptoms when he landed this week in Lagos, traveled 60 miles north to the cement factory where he works and developed a fever there, a Nigerian health commissioner said to reporters.The patient, a young man, had no symptoms when he landed this week in Lagos, traveled 60 miles north to the cement factory where he works and developed a fever there, a Nigerian health commissioner said to reporters.
The appearance of the first case in Lagos — a city of 20 million people and the economic capital of Africa’s most populous nation — set off fear, rumors and panicked buying of hand sanitizer and face masks. It also posed a test for the Nigerian medical system, which like others in Africa, has been preparing for the virus to arrive for weeks.The appearance of the first case in Lagos — a city of 20 million people and the economic capital of Africa’s most populous nation — set off fear, rumors and panicked buying of hand sanitizer and face masks. It also posed a test for the Nigerian medical system, which like others in Africa, has been preparing for the virus to arrive for weeks.
“I feel scared,” said Karo Otitifore, an elementary schoolteacher waiting at a bus stop in Yaba, the Lagos suburb where the Italian patient was being treated. “I try to sit tight, squeeze my whole body so that I won’t have to have too much body contact with people.”“I feel scared,” said Karo Otitifore, an elementary schoolteacher waiting at a bus stop in Yaba, the Lagos suburb where the Italian patient was being treated. “I try to sit tight, squeeze my whole body so that I won’t have to have too much body contact with people.”
Public health officials have been warning that the coronavirus could be devastating in Africa, a continent with relatively weak health care and disease surveillance systems. So the Nigerian health system — which had gained a reputation for efficiently containing cases during the Ebola epidemic in 2014 — responded quickly to the appearance of a suspected case of coronavirus.Public health officials have been warning that the coronavirus could be devastating in Africa, a continent with relatively weak health care and disease surveillance systems. So the Nigerian health system — which had gained a reputation for efficiently containing cases during the Ebola epidemic in 2014 — responded quickly to the appearance of a suspected case of coronavirus.
The young Italian was sent back to Lagos, where he is being treated in a hospital facility that had been set aside to handle coronavirus, while a team of epidemiologists traces his contacts.The young Italian was sent back to Lagos, where he is being treated in a hospital facility that had been set aside to handle coronavirus, while a team of epidemiologists traces his contacts.
Dr. Ngozi Erondu, an associate fellow in the Global Health Program at Chatham House, an international research group in London, said Nigeria’s confirmation of the coronavirus case in just two days was “a very positive reflection of the disease surveillance and laboratory capacity in Nigeria.”Dr. Ngozi Erondu, an associate fellow in the Global Health Program at Chatham House, an international research group in London, said Nigeria’s confirmation of the coronavirus case in just two days was “a very positive reflection of the disease surveillance and laboratory capacity in Nigeria.”
But it will be key, she said, for all African countries to enhance scrutiny of travelers, especially those coming from countries with documented outbreaks.But it will be key, she said, for all African countries to enhance scrutiny of travelers, especially those coming from countries with documented outbreaks.
The coronavirus, which emerged in central China late last year, has spread to almost 50 countries, sickening about 84,000 people and killing nearly 3,000 — mostly in mainland China. But in recent weeks, the virus has spread across the globe with outbreaks in Iran, Japan, South Korea and Italy, especially in Milan.The coronavirus, which emerged in central China late last year, has spread to almost 50 countries, sickening about 84,000 people and killing nearly 3,000 — mostly in mainland China. But in recent weeks, the virus has spread across the globe with outbreaks in Iran, Japan, South Korea and Italy, especially in Milan.
To date, 26 African countries have reported suspected coronavirus cases, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only three countries on the continent — Algeria and Egypt in North Africa — and now Nigeria in the sub-Saharan region, have announced confirmed cases. The case in Algeria was an Italian who arrived in the country on Feb. 17, according to the World Health Organization.To date, 26 African countries have reported suspected coronavirus cases, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only three countries on the continent — Algeria and Egypt in North Africa — and now Nigeria in the sub-Saharan region, have announced confirmed cases. The case in Algeria was an Italian who arrived in the country on Feb. 17, according to the World Health Organization.
Global health experts had anticipated that the virus would most likely spread to Africa from China, which has increased its ties with Africa enormously over the past two decades.Global health experts had anticipated that the virus would most likely spread to Africa from China, which has increased its ties with Africa enormously over the past two decades.
To combat the potential spread of the deadly outbreak, airlines including Egypt Air, Kenya Airways and South African Airways have suspended their flights to China.To combat the potential spread of the deadly outbreak, airlines including Egypt Air, Kenya Airways and South African Airways have suspended their flights to China.
Ethiopian Airlines, which operates the largest number of flights between China and Africa, has refused to follow suit despite widespread criticism from political and business leaders across the continent.Ethiopian Airlines, which operates the largest number of flights between China and Africa, has refused to follow suit despite widespread criticism from political and business leaders across the continent.
The Kenyan government faced criticism this week for allowing China Southern Airlines to resume flights from Guangzhou Province in China to Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. The government said that all 239 passengers on the first plane after the service restarted had been screened onboard, cleared and advised to self-quarantine for 14 days. But on social media, many expressed outrage about the flights, calling officials negligent.The Kenyan government faced criticism this week for allowing China Southern Airlines to resume flights from Guangzhou Province in China to Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. The government said that all 239 passengers on the first plane after the service restarted had been screened onboard, cleared and advised to self-quarantine for 14 days. But on social media, many expressed outrage about the flights, calling officials negligent.
On Friday, after numerous lawsuits were filed against the government, Kenya’s high court temporarily suspended flights from China for ten days.On Friday, after numerous lawsuits were filed against the government, Kenya’s high court temporarily suspended flights from China for ten days.
The Ebola outbreak that ravaged Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea five years ago is still fresh in the minds of West Africans. Many are fearful that their governments are not much better prepared to detect, respond to and contain outbreaks than they were then.The Ebola outbreak that ravaged Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea five years ago is still fresh in the minds of West Africans. Many are fearful that their governments are not much better prepared to detect, respond to and contain outbreaks than they were then.
A continentwide Center for Disease Control has since been established and has been coordinating efforts across the continent. The Africa C.D.C., in collaboration with the W.H.O., has worked with countries to improve their surveillance and testing processes.A continentwide Center for Disease Control has since been established and has been coordinating efforts across the continent. The Africa C.D.C., in collaboration with the W.H.O., has worked with countries to improve their surveillance and testing processes.
Updated June 30, 2020
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
Currently, 26 laboratories are able to test for the coronavirus on the continent, up from just two in early February, according to the W.H.O. The Africa C.D.C. has shipped one thousand test kits to Nigeria.Currently, 26 laboratories are able to test for the coronavirus on the continent, up from just two in early February, according to the W.H.O. The Africa C.D.C. has shipped one thousand test kits to Nigeria.
Nigerians expressed some confidence in their government’s ability to contain coronavirus on Friday, stemming from their experience with the Ebola epidemic, which experts say appears to be far more deadly than the coronavirus.Nigerians expressed some confidence in their government’s ability to contain coronavirus on Friday, stemming from their experience with the Ebola epidemic, which experts say appears to be far more deadly than the coronavirus.
A Liberian-American who brought Ebola to Lagos in 2014 was prevented from leaving a clinic, his contacts were traced and 900 people were monitored. He and a doctor and six other people died — a number many epidemiologists considered mercifully low given that more than 11,000 people died in the West African outbreak, which lasted from 2014 to 2016.A Liberian-American who brought Ebola to Lagos in 2014 was prevented from leaving a clinic, his contacts were traced and 900 people were monitored. He and a doctor and six other people died — a number many epidemiologists considered mercifully low given that more than 11,000 people died in the West African outbreak, which lasted from 2014 to 2016.
However, Lagos is a city that contains both extreme wealth and poverty, and if the virus gets into its poorest areas, the lack of adequate housing and sanitation among people living in cramped conditions could cause it to spread at breakneck speed, a public health expert said.However, Lagos is a city that contains both extreme wealth and poverty, and if the virus gets into its poorest areas, the lack of adequate housing and sanitation among people living in cramped conditions could cause it to spread at breakneck speed, a public health expert said.
In Lagos on Friday, people across the city were hurriedly buying hand sanitizer, face masks and in the shaky hope it would make a difference, vitamin C supplements.In Lagos on Friday, people across the city were hurriedly buying hand sanitizer, face masks and in the shaky hope it would make a difference, vitamin C supplements.
“Somebody came in and just bought all our vitamin C. People have been constantly asking for it,” said Eniola Okunnuga, a pharmacist at one of the biggest pharmacies in Lagos.“Somebody came in and just bought all our vitamin C. People have been constantly asking for it,” said Eniola Okunnuga, a pharmacist at one of the biggest pharmacies in Lagos.
Unfounded rumors spread rapidly that bathing in water laced with ginger and garlic would protect against the virus, particularly on the messaging service WhatsApp. But sound advice also circulated, about washing hands and keeping away from people with coughs.Unfounded rumors spread rapidly that bathing in water laced with ginger and garlic would protect against the virus, particularly on the messaging service WhatsApp. But sound advice also circulated, about washing hands and keeping away from people with coughs.
Mr. Otitifore, the schoolteacher, scoffed at old wives’ tales about ginger and garlic, but also repeated some rumors he had given credence to. Drinking a lot of water would wash the virus down so that stomach acid could attack it, he said.Mr. Otitifore, the schoolteacher, scoffed at old wives’ tales about ginger and garlic, but also repeated some rumors he had given credence to. Drinking a lot of water would wash the virus down so that stomach acid could attack it, he said.
He waited at a crowded bus stop for a bus crammed with passengers. A recent ban — unrelated to coronavirus — on the city’s fleet of motorcycle taxis and auto-rickshaws meant that many Lagosians are in even closer contact than usual, raising the risk of exposure should the virus spread.He waited at a crowded bus stop for a bus crammed with passengers. A recent ban — unrelated to coronavirus — on the city’s fleet of motorcycle taxis and auto-rickshaws meant that many Lagosians are in even closer contact than usual, raising the risk of exposure should the virus spread.
Oluwatosin Adeshokan contributed reporting from Lagos, Nigeria, and Simon Marks from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Oluwatosin Adeshokan contributed reporting from Lagos, Nigeria, and Simon Marks from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.