Nigeria's FG restricts travel to Latin American countries

President Muhammadu Buhari - Nigeria

The Federal Government has alerted Nigerians on the outbreak of Zika virus infection, with directive that the citizens, especially pregnant women should be restricted from traveling to Latin America until the situation improves.

The government, which directed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to include Zika virus diagnosis as part of the ongoing efforts to manage Lassa fever outbreak in the country, said anyone coming from any of the Latin American countries should be interviewed at the various ports of entry to ascertain evidence of Zika virus symptoms.

A statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Boade Akinola, quoted the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, as saying that Zika virus infection, which was first discovered in Brazil in 2014, is transmitted by a bite of mosquito vector.

While assuring Nigerians that “there is no single case of Zika virus infection in the country and there is no need to panic,” he said the Federal Ministry of Health would continue to monitor the situation and update Nigerians of any other developments.

Adewole said, “The World Health Organisation has raised a global alert because the disease has affected about 23 countries in Americas especially in Latin America. At the moment, there is no cure or vaccine for Zika virus infection.

“The Federal Ministry of Health hereby advises a travel restriction especially by pregnant women to Latin America for now until the situation improves. In addition, we have directed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to include Zika virus diagnosis as part of ongoing effort to manage Lassa fever outbreak in the country.

“Nigerians should be vigilant and report promptly any case of unexplained fever that is more than 48 hours, especially in those with recent travels to Latin America, to health care professionals.

“Nigerians working at various ports of entry into the country should interview anyone coming from any of the Latin American countries for evidence of Zika virus symptoms.”

The manifestation of Zika virus infection include mild fever, rash (mostly maculo-papular), headaches, joint pain (arthralgia), muscle pain (myalgia), loss of weight (asthenia) and non-purulent conjunctivitis.

The virus is also associated with higher risk of congenital malformations in newborn when pregnant women are affected. The diseases usually occur about three to twelve days after the mosquito vector bites.

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