Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Virus Outbreak Impacts Africans at Home and Abroad

Salem Solomon

   WASHINGTON - African nations are preparing for what experts believe is
   the inevitable emergence of cases of coronavirus on the continent. With
   growing economic ties and increased travel between the African
   continent and China, health professionals say they must be ready to
   treat and isolate cases.

   On Tuesday, Ethiopia announced it had quarantined three Ethiopian
   students and one Chinese student returning from a university in Wuhan,
   China. The students were stopped during a screening at the airport when
   it was discovered they had symptoms including sore throat and a cough.

   Dr. Munir Kassa, chief of staff for Ethiopia's Minister of Health, said
   the country has been determined to stay ahead of the outbreak. Since
   the beginning of January, the Ethiopian government has communicated
   with the World Health Organization and the Chinese government for
   status updates.

   "We had several meetings and there is also an emergency center [that]
   has been activated. And so active surveillance and vigilance. So we
   have been doing active surveillance of the case for this potential
   threat," he told VOA's Horn of Africa service.

   Checking temperatures

   At Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia has been using
   thermal scanners to take temperatures of airline passengers arriving
   from the affected Chinese region, quarantining anyone sick and taking
   the addresses of healthy people for follow-up visits. The country has
   set up quarantine centers and formed a high-level task force that
   reports to the prime minister.

   Kassa said they have screened 22,000 passengers and have sent samples
   from potential coronavirus cases for testing in South Africa.

   "So currently in our country, we don't have anyone who has contracted
   this novel coronavirus and those who are suspected are under
   quarantine. So people can go about their daily business," Kassa said.
   There is no reason to "be afraid currently." But, he added, "because
   this is a global issue, particularly in China, and because we have
   frequent flights, people should take cautions."

   Other African countries including Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda have begun
   screening passengers arriving from Wuhan.

.