An unverified circular which has gone viral on social media purported to emanate from the office of the National security adviser and addressed to the permanent secretary of the federal ministry of health (Ref No: NSA/A/208/C) has warned of the likelihood of MERS outbreak in Nigeria

 

Dated 10th June 2015 and signed by Rtd Brigadier General TT WAYA reads: 

 

On 20 May 2015, Republic of korea's index case of the middle east respiratory syndrome corogavirus (MERS-CoV) was confirmed. The virus was thereafter reported in china on 29 May 2015, when a confirmed patient in the republic of korea travelled to Guangdong. This outbreak has been adjudged by the world health organization (WHO) as the largest outside the april 2012 in saudi Arabia. As at 9 June 2015, there are more than 108 confirmed cases leading to 9 deaths, quarantine of over 3400 and closure of 2400 schools in south korea.

 

The occurrence of such a large outbreak outside the middle east is a new development nad may likely spread to other countries.

 

With Nigerians travelling all over the world, for business and plesure, the disease could likely be carried into Nigeria as it is transmitted through contact with an infected person.

 

2. An outbreak of the MERS-CoV in Nigeria would have obvious security and other implications. Consequently, i am directed to request you to activate the response plan and procedures to deal with an eventual outbreak

 

Please accept the assurances of NSA'S highest considerations