03 March, 2020 | Abuja – DIRECTOR GENERAL OF NCDC IS NOT QUARANTINED

Tuesday, March 03, 2020

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is aware of reports from the media stating that Director General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu is in ‘quarantine over coronavirus’. This is false.

Between the 16th and 24th of February 2020, the World Health Organization deployed a high-level mission to China. The joint mission had 25 national and international experts, including the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu. He also made this known via his Twitter account- https://twitter.com/chikwe_i/status/1233862464917385217?s=21

The Mission met with counterparts in China to understand their response to COVID-19 and how the global community can learn from this. As recommended in NCDC’s public health advisory, travelers from countries with ongoing transmission of COVID-19 are advised to proceed on 14-day self-isolation, whether well or unwell (https://ncdc.gov.ng/news/234/29th-february-2020%7C-public-health-advisory-to-nigerians-on-novel-coronavirus-%28%234%29).

The Director General has adhered to this, to protect himself and the public. He has been tested since his return, and has shown no symptoms of COVID-19 infection. He remains in good health.

The Honourable Minister of Health is very proud of Dr Ihekweazu’s contribution, which reflects the high-level recognition and respect the global health community has for Nigeria.

Signed

Communications

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is the government agency with the mandate to lead the prevention, detection, and control of communicable diseases.

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