Even as China is grappling with an outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus, that has spread to not less than 17countries including Cote d Voire in West Africa, the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has assured that, all hands are on deck to ensure that the deadly disease does not penetrate into the country.

Speaking exclusively to Shipping Position Daily correspondent the head Media, Communications and Strategies for the service; Dr. Dr. ChigozieNwodo said the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service is collaborating withthe Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to ensure that there is no gapor breach on the veterinary quarantine front at the airports.

He said the World HealthOrganization has described the outbreak as an emergency in China, but stopped short of declaring it a public health emergency of global concern because thedeath toll had yet to meet the threshold.

He however said notwithstanding, at every point of entry for all agricultural quarantine activities in Nigeria;NAQS is obligated to buffer the nation from the potential introduction of thishigh-risk virus, adding that officers are on guard.

According to him, “the World HealthOrganization has described this outbreak as an emergency for China but stopped short of declaring it a public health emergency of global concern because thedeath toll had yet to meet the threshold.”

“It is important to know thatCoronaviruses (CoV) are zoonotic, meaning that they are cross-transmittablebetween human beings and animals.

“According to WHO, signs ofinfection include fever, cough, shortness of breath. In more severe cases, itcan lead to pneumonia, server acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure anddeath. Hence, CoV represent an equal opportunity danger to human life and theagricultural sector with a single case of introduction will have potentiallybroad and prolific ramifications.

“So bearing in mind the zoonoticnature of the virus, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service iscollaborating with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to ensurethat there is no gap or breach on the veterinary quarantine front at theairports.

“FAAN has issued travel advisory,admonishing passengers to submit themselves to standard quarantine formalities.

“As the single point of command forall agricultural quarantine activities in Nigeria, NAQS is obligated to bufferthe nation from the potential introduction of this high-risk virus. The stakesare high. Therefore, officers are on their professional guard.

“Consequently, all NAQS officersstationed at all ports of entry have heightened their alertness to make certainthat procedural quarantine inspection is performed stringently, diligently andrigorously. There can be no exception or exemption.”.

“The general public is thereforeadvised to report any case related to the above to quarantine posts in theirlocality or the agriculture department in their local government council”, headded.