An Italian Expatriate is Nigeria's First Coronavirus Case Confirmed in Lagos

The first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been reported in Lagos by the Federal Ministry of Health.

Nigeria's Minister of Health made the announcement in a statement personally signed by him and released yesterday. According to his statement, this is "the first case to be reported in Nigeria since the beginning of the outbreak in China in January, 2020".

"The case is an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned from Milan, Italy to Lagos, Nigeria on the 25th of February, 2020. He was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC)."

"The patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Yaba, Lagos."

"We have already started working to identify all the contacts of the patient, since he entered Nigeria. Please be reminded that most people who become infects might experience only mild illness and recover easily, but it can be more severe in others, particularly the elderly and persons with other underlying chronic illnesses."

Dr. Osagie Emmanuel Ehanire, Minister of Health

"The Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health, has been strengthening measures to ensure an outbreak in Nigeria is controlled and contained quickly. The multisectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group, led by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has immediately activated it's National Emergency Operations Center, and will work closely with Lagos state health authorities to respond to this case and implement firm control measures."

"I wish to assure all Nigerians that we have been beefing up our Preparedness capabilities since the confirmation of first cases in China, and we will use all the resources made available by the government to respond to this case."

"All Nigerians should take care of their health, and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene, to protect themselves and others, including their own families", the statement said. He also went ahead to list the necessary precautions that need to be taken by all.

See the full statement here.