Nigeria’s health authorities issue travel restrictions over outbreak of Zika virus
Health authorities in Nigeria have issued an alert travel restrictions especially for pregnant women to Latin America over the outbreak of Zika virus infection in the region.
Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole also ordered the inclusion of the screening for Zika virus among the several medical screenings at all the country’s ports of entry.
The travel restriction follows a WHO global alert on the Zika virus infection, which has now affected 23 countries in the Americas.
Nigeria’s minister of health , Professor Isaac Adewole says the advisory will remain in place especially for pregnant women until the situation that region improves.
He’s also asked the country’s Center for Disease Control to include Zika virus diagnosis as part of ongoing efforts to manage the Lassa fever outbreak in the country.
Nigeria has been battling an unprecedented outbreak of Lassa fever. Over 76 people have died from the disease and at least 18 of the country’s 36 States are now affected. Any outbreak of Zika virus infection would only compound situation.
The minister said there is no single case of Zika virus infection in Nigeria but he called on people to remain vigilant and promptly report any case of unexplained fever that lasts more than 48 hours, especially in those that travelled to Latin America.
