The novel 2019-nCoV is spreading at an alarming rate and it’s been compared to the virulence of the measles virus years back. As of today, death toll across the provinces in China, with Wuhan being the epicentre included, is about 259 people and 11,791 infected. This is in spite of the rumours that the total infected people may be close to a 100,000 people. The Chinese have been known to produce infidel data when it comes to disease control and public health issues in the past. They were alleged to have produced inaccurate information concerning the SARS epidemic in 2003.

The situation was declared a global emergency on Thursday, 30th January, 2020. And there hasn’t been adequate information on the virus. Research is still ongoing. Countries that have proper emergency plans and experience like the European countries, Canada and the USA, have reported cases of the virus. But the question is: Do African countries like Nigeria with the poor infrastructure and porous borders possess what it takes in expertise and equipment to diagnose this disease, not talking of treating the infected?

Nigeria have been declared a high risk country already by the WHO alongside some African countries like Algeria, Angola, and South Africa etc. I was listening to a radio program where a member of the NMA (Nigerian Medical Association) stated clearly that no Nigerian hospital has the infrastructure to handle this kind of pandemic.
But we have had experience with Ebola. And despite the fact that the threat was closer when compared to far distant China, we were able to curtail the spread. Unfortunately, we are not behaving like students who have had a previous classroom experience. Or perhaps that experience has made us overconfident. I believe strongly that the kind of urgency and awareness shown for Ebola eradication should start in earnest without taking chances, given our poor health infrastructure. Prevention is better than cure.

By now, we should have started taking measures like stocking and giving out sanitizers and face masks, encourage washing of hands in public places and sensitize the public concerning symptoms of the virus. Nigeria has never been able to totally eradicate the spread of Lassa fever, addition threat of coronavirus will almost annihilate an already fragile health system.
Africa have a strong trade and expatriate relationship with China, and we might not have detected cases already because we plainly do not have a fast means to do so. Tackling human to human transmission of the virus is key to the taming this wild virus. And symptoms are not entirely unique as they start from having fever or common cold.

Wuhan virus: How to stay safe if it eventually hits the country.

Wear gloves or wash hands regularly
If you are in situation where you have to remove your gloves do not touch your face
Change your gloves daily
Where masks outdoors
Inside your household, remove your towels from your bathrooms and kitchen immediately
Be careful with door knobs and handles
Don’t share your personal kitchen utensils like spoons and plates
Do not buy, slaughter, or consume any live animal
Open your windows

Symptoms of coronavirus

Cold
Fever
Drug-resistant pneumonia
Kidney and liver failure
Public place necessities (bank, schools, hospitals)
Hand washing stations
Hand sanitizers
Face masks
Body temperature sensors
Quarantine centres