Isaac Adewole, the Nigerian Minister of Health, has said that the mosquitoes carrying the Zika
virus are in Nigeria and urged Nigerians to protect themselves by using
mosquito nets.
He
also called on Nigerians to remain calm, be vigilant and report any suspected
case of an acute febrile illness in pregnant women, in particular, to any
nearest health facility.
Adewole
made this disclosure at a press briefing, yesterday, in Abuja, where he
explained that the mosquitoes were active and flying, adding that they bite
during the day and early morning.
He
said: “Nigerian scientists working in Western Nigeria in 1954 discovered Zika
virus in Nigeria. Further studies in the years 1975 to 1979 showed that 40 per
cent of Nigeria adults and 25 per cent of Nigerian children have antibodies to
Zika virus, meaning they are protected against this virus.