By Hassan Zaggi
Following rumours making the round in the social media over the outbreak of a deadly flu which has resulted in the killing of some Nigerians in China, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, has said that the Federal Ministry of Health is on the alert.
Responding to questions at a media briefing in Abuja, the Minister who expressed doubts over the outbreak of the flu said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other global health bodies have not said anything about it.
“We heard about the Flu that broke out in China. Of course we referred that to the NCDC to take note and also for Port Health Services to be alert and awake for screening. They are doing very due diligence in checking all arrivals from outside the country,” the Minister said.
He further stressed that: “As for the message that is going around in the social media, the ministry of health founds is strange.
“When there is an outbreak of any flu or any disease, we hear it first from the World Health Organisation.
“The WHO has not said anything about such a flu, the US Centre for Disease Control has also not said anything about that, and we have not heard anything from the Chinese government. “Usually, if there anything, their embassy will send somebody to come and inform us. We are beginning to wonder about the authenticity of the paper going around the place because up till today, no confirmation about anything like that. If you look at news from the foreign media, you don’t hear anything about it.”
The Minister, however, said that: “We are still watching the situation, everything we hear we take serious.
“But I want to assure you that any outbreak of such character is first spotted by the WHO, then diagnosed it, they will announce, then send us advisory or give us alert, the US CDC have not said anything.
“We are still keeping alert and how specifically they will figure out how many Nigerians were affected or loss their lives. All these things look suspicious. They details they provided in the said paper is suspicious.”
Meanwhile, The AUTHORITY stumbled on a memo which was purported to emanate from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and allegedly signed by the Permanent Secretary to the OSGF, Aliyu G. Mohammed, titled: ‘Chinese authorities raise concern over outbreak of unknown deadly flu’.
The memo alerted the Minister of the Health, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on the concerns raised by the China Centre for Disease Control over the outbreak of unknown flu.
The memo said: “I am to draw your attention to a report which revealed that the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) on December 13, 2022, raised concern over the outbreak of an unknown deadly flu, following the death of some residents which include three Nigerians.
“The initial clinical analysis ruled out COVID-19, but the symptoms of the fatal flu include dry throat, fever and difficulty in breathing.
“Hospitals in Guangzhou have been inaudated with patients having the disease with seven Nigerians said to be in critical condition as a result of the flu.
“It is assessed that the outbreak of a new deadly flu portends danger considering the experience of the outbreak of COVID-19.
“Of concern is the fact that the new flu is yet to be diagnosed, an indication that the flu could have spread beyond the shores of China.
“Considering the potential danger this outbreak to human beings, there may be need to note the development with a view to emplacing measures to reactivate COVID-19 measures across the country.”
