Resulting from the newly discovered disease ravaging some parts of China and spreading to other countries, Nigerian Thoracic Society has declared Nigeria as a high-risk country for the Coronavirus epidemic.
The society stated this, Monday in a press statement jointly signed by Professor Prince Ele, National President and Dr Victor Umoh, National Secretary of the Society.
The statement said Nigeria is host to thousands of Chinese and other businesses and hundreds of Nigerian businessmen travel to China regularly.
The society appreciated the role of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in information dissemination and in mobilising the Nigerian response in this and similar epidemics.
NTS advised the NCDC to rapidly create awareness of protective and precautionary measures among health workers and the general public.
Appealing to the Nigerian public to observe basic universal safety measures and remain calm, the society recommended some general safety rules to reduce exposure and transmission of disease.
The society also recommended frequent cleaning of hands by using water and soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer and cover mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing and wash hands later as well as avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough.
Nigerians, NTS advised that people should cook animal products thoroughly before consumption and anyone that is ill with fever, couch, and difficulty breathing must seek medical attention on time and disclose previous travel history to their health care provider while those who visit livestock markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus should avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals.
The China epidemic is caused by a new virus, provisionally called 2019-nCov, a corona virus that started in Wuhan, a city in China.
