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China Coronavirus why Nigerians should be worried
A new virus known as the Corona Virus was recently discovered in China. It is said to have killed ten people and infected almost 500 people in a very short time. Already, an incidence of the viral infection has been reported in the United States as at 21st January, 2020. The index case being a Chinese returning from holiday in China.
That is where the alarm for worry goes for Nigeria!
Nigeria has a whole lot of traffic from China due to high volume of trade relations. This presents a window of opportunity for this virus to find its way to Nigeria. Remember the saga of the Ebola virus that found its way into Nigeria via Liberian diplomatic? May we not suffer a repeat incident. By the way, Corona Virus kills faster than Ebola!!
Our governments at all levels, whether local, state or federal should be more proactive. Similar measures taken by Lagos and other states took during the Ebola crisis must be applied though government must not wait until the first case appear before they put precautionary measures in place. We all know epidemics spread faster in dense and overpopulated placed as is found in most urban centres in our country.
But what do we know about the Coronavirus?
The symptoms of most Coronaviruses are similar to any other upper-respiratory infection, including runny nose, coughing, sore throat, and sometimes a fever. In most cases. A person may not know whether they have a Coronavirus or a different cold-causing Virus, such as rhinovirus.
So what can we do to prevent Coronavirus?
There is no vaccine for Coronavirus. To help prevent Coronavirus infection:
1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.
3. Avoid close contact with people who are infected.
4. The Coronavirus infection is basically treated the same way one would treat a cold
5. Get plenty of rest; drink fluids.
6. Take over-the-counter medicine for sore throat and fever