Ethiopia confirms first coronavirus case

Travellers undergo security checks and coronavirus screening at an airport. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Officials in Addis Ababa stressed they were taking all precautionary measures to ensure the country does not suffer a crisis.
  • While noting that panic and fear could equally be dangerous, the ministry noted that most of those infected recover after a brief illness.
  • Ethiopia has established a national task force comprising seven ministers to lead prevention measures and a technical task force of members of various government bodies.

Ethiopia on Friday announced its first novel coronavirus case in the capital, Addis Ababa, becoming the third eastern Africa nation with a confirmation.

But officials in Addis Ababa stressed they were taking all precautionary measures to ensure the country does not suffer a crisis.

The Ministry of Health said the patient, a 48-year-old Japanese national, tested positive for Covid-19, the given name of the disease currently ravaging the globe.

Health Minister, Dr Lia Tadesse, told local journalists that the man arrived on March 4 from Burkina Faso.

“The victim is quarantined at Bole Chefa isolation centre and is stable,” she said.

“Individuals who have been in close contact with the victim were immediately identified and quarantined."

HIGH RISK

While noting that panic and fear could equally be dangerous, the ministry noted that most of those infected recover after a brief illness.

However it said the illness might be worse for older people and individuals whose health is poor.

Speaking to the EastAfrican, Dr Boureima Hama Sambo, the World Health Organization (WHO) country representative, said Ethiopia is a top priority country in the region, where the pandemic is concerned.

“Having international flights to affected counties and being a major tourist destination and the diplomatic capital of Africa puts Ethiopia at higher risk."

The government activated its national Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC) and an Incident management system (IMS) to coordinate preparedness measures when the WHO declared the outbreak on December 31, 2019.

Ethiopia, seat of the African Union (AU), has cancelled international conferences that were to be held in the capital.

The AU has also cancelled all meetings set for March and April until further notice.

RISK ASSESSMENT

The WHO official said the cancellation of the international meetings was appropriate.

“It’s important to remember that there is never a zero risk with any mass gathering events. Event organisers have to put in place a risk management strategy based on the setting, the type of the event and participants, the location and the duration,” said Dr Sambo.

“National authorities should make proportional, evidence-based decisions about these types of issues based on their assessed risk of holding the event in their country.

"Similarly, companies and other organisations are at liberty to make their own decisions according to their specific circumstances and their assessment of the risk to business."

He called on local health authorities to be involved in these processes so that immediate action is taken if cases are reported.

The WHO says many of the risks can be appropriately managed and even reduced through simple measures.

WHO STANDARDS

Ethiopia has established a national task force comprising seven ministers to lead prevention measures and a technical task force of members of various government bodies.

It has further allocated an additional budget for prevention efforts and is mobilising more resources.

Besides designation of isolation centers at three hospitals, for case management and prepositioning of personal protective equipment (PPEs), Ethiopia has an alert management system, surveillance, case investigation and a contacts follow-up mechanism for detection of suspected cases.

The WHO, however, recommends more efforts to leverage the prevention measures.

“Ethiopia should ensure a robust follow-up of travellers from affected countries. The country should also strengthen community-based surveillance and the capacity of frontline health workers."

Dr Sambo said the global shortages of PPEs and funds are major challenges in the collective prevention effort.

“The funding gap for the Covid-19 contingency plan and equipping isolation facilities to required standards, to enable optimum provision of care for severe and critical cases, are the main challenges”