Zika Virus - Nigerians Urged to Be Vigilant

By Ojoma Akor

The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole has advised Nigerians particularly health care professionals and those who recently traveled to Latin America, to be vigilant and promptly report any case of unexplained fever that is more than 48 hours.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) raised a global alert on the Zika virus outbreak recently. The disease which was first discovered in Brazil in 2014 is transmitted by a bite of mosquito vector.

It has affected about 23 countries in Americas especially in Latin America. At the moment, there is no cure or vaccine for Zika virus infection.

In a statement signed by the ministry's spokesman, Boade Akinola , Professor Adewole enjoined those working at the various ports of entry into the country to interview anyone coming from any of the Latin American countries for evidence of Zika virus symptoms. He advised travel restriction especially by pregnant women to Latin America for now until the situation improves.

The minister has also directed the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) to include Zika virus diagnosis as part of ongoing effort to manage Lassa fever outbreak in the country.

He however assured Nigerians that there was no single case of Zika virus infection in the country and that the ministry would continue to monitor the situation and update Nigerians of any other developments.

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 disease usually occurs about three to twelve days after the mosquito vector bite.