FG Mulls Reopening Isolation Centers As ‘Mysterious Flu’, Covid-19 Spread In China

The federal government may reactivate the Covid-19 isolation centers following the outbreak of an 'unknown deadly flu' in China that has claimed the lives of several residents, including three Nigerians.

The incident caused the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) office to write to the Health Ministry to alert them of the tragic development.

According to the leaked memo, which was sent to the Minister of Health, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the deadly flu poses a great threat to Nigeria, Guardian Reported.

The Permanent Secretary at the OSGF, Aliyu Mohammed, signed the memo, dated Jan. 16, 2023, on behalf of the SGF. It informed the minister and agency heads that on Dec. 13, 2022, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention expressed concerns regarding the outbreak of an 'unidentified deadly flu', after some residents, including three Nigerians, passed away from the disease.

The SGF added that further caution may be required in reactivating COVID-19 measures due to the potential threat to human life. "Considering the potential danger of this outbreak to human beings, there may be a need to note the development with a view to emplacing measures to reactivate COVID-19 centers across the country," it said, as per Guardian.

According to the letter, the initial clinical evaluation ruled out COVID-19, but deadly flu symptoms such as dry throat, fever, and respiratory problems can also occur. As Guangzhou hospitals became swamped with patients suffering from the sickness, seven Nigerians are reportedly in critical condition. Also, given the history of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is believed that the emergence of a new, lethal virus spells trouble. The fact that the new flu has not yet been identified, a sign that it may have gone beyond China's borders, is concerning.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has recorded 123 confirmed cases of diphtheria and 38 resulting deaths in various parts of the country as of Jan. 22, 2023. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has provided a breakdown of statistics which reveals that Kano has had 100 confirmed cases and 32 deaths, Lagos, five confirmed infections and three deaths, Yobe, 17 confirmed incidents, and three fatalities, while Osun has had one confirmed case but no resulting deaths reported thus far, Enviro News Reported.

Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, the director general of the center, revealed this at the ministerial update on COVID-19 Monday in Abuja. He said the organization had informed the states to increase surveillance and report cases quickly.

According to Dr. Pricilla Ibekwe, Head of the Special Projects and Partnerships Unit at NCDC, Diphtheria is a dangerous bacterial infection that affects a person's nose, throat, and occasionally skin and is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium species. It is quickly disseminated between individuals through direct touch with coughing or sneezing droplets as well as contact with contaminated objects and clothing.