Ogu gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency
of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Recall that the United Kingdom detected its first case of
the new COVID-19 variant, BA.2.86, on Aug. 18, and said the strain had also
been identified in Israel, Denmark and the US.
“There is currently one confirmed case in the UK in an
individual with no recent travel history, which suggests a degree of community
transmission within the UK,” the UK Health Security Agency had said.
Nigeria and the UK record a high volume of travellers who
shuttle between both countries on regular basis.
Ogu said that information on the new variant had been placed
on the Port Health Services Emergency Platform, while other agencies at the
airport had also been informed about it.
“ Our mandate is health safety and security at the point of
entry and it covers both routine and emergency situations.
“The new variant has been placed on the Port Health Services
emergency platform and we have also informed sister agencies at the airport of
its existence and they are also on the alert.
“The ambulances are in good condition and our clinics around
the tarmac are in the perfect shape to review any form of emergency, and
facilities are inspected daily.
“Personnel are trained on a weekly basis and this training
is called Weekly Pretentious Infection Training. The purpose of this training
is to keep our personnel abreast of steps to take when confronted with
emergencies like this.
“Our personnel are on ground and our structures are
constantly reviewed, so we assure everyone that there is absolutely nothing to
be worried about,” he said.
Ogu said that the Port Health Service collaborates with
Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) across the country involving stakeholders
who deliberate on different strategies and containment mechanisms for
emergencies.
He said that there were cameras at the tarmac that capture
the body temperature of passengers when they alight from the plane.
“For every passenger arriving at the airport, the first
point of call is the port health services, and they are screened to check for
irregularities in body temperature.
“The instruments are categorised into three: the hand held
thermometer, a tripod tarmac scanner and the distant tarmac camera,” he said.
According to him, the distant tarmac camera is the most
effective because it captures everyone and all the health information, and port
health officials see the result on the screen.
“We intend to get more cameras in the nearest future for
more effective coverage and optimal reporting,” he said.
He urged Nigerians not to panic, noting that the new variant
was still at the observatory level
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