Lagos, Nigeria(CNN)An Italian citizen who traveled to Lagos, Nigeria's economic nerve center, is the first confirmed case of coronavirus in sub Saharan Africa, according to the country's Health Ministry.

The man works in Nigeria and had returned from Milan to Lagos on February 25, the ministry said. "The patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos," the ministry said in a statement.

"We have already started working to identify all the contacts of the patient, since he entered Nigeria," the ministry added, urging citizens not to panic. "Citizens must not abuse social media and indulge in spreading misinformation that causes fear and panic," it said.

Earlier this week, Algeria confirmed the first case on the continent, another Italian passenger who entered the country on February 17. The patient was placed in quarantine, and under close supervision, according to health authorities in Algeria.

Airlines around the world are suspending flights to China as the coronavirus spreads

Nigeria is Africa's most populous country with around 200 million citizens, so there are significant concerns about the impact of coronavirus spreading widely.

The World Health Organization recently said that an outbreak of coronavirus in Africa would hit the continent harder than China. The novel coronavirus has killed at least 2,800 people worldwide, the vast majority in mainland China. There have been more than 83,000 global cases, with infections in every continent except Antarctica.

Many of the countries in Africa are already dealing with severe health crises with limited resources, such as Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Stranded lobsters and missing wedding dresses: The coronavirus is a daily reminder of China's global reach

Dr. Michel Yao from WHO's Regional Office for Africa told CNN's Becky Anderson that the organization was helping with support to detect coronavirus early.

He said: "There is actually progress made. All these countries have now laboratory capacity to test for the coronavirus. The other component is related to treatment, so for them to ensure that they have treatment capacity and also have... a contingency plan should there be a good number of cases that could challenge many of the African health services."

View on CNN

walesonline Load mobile navigation

Live updates as first coronavirus case confirmed in Wales

The first case of coronavirus in Wales has been confirmed by the Welsh Government

Mark SmithHealth Correspondent

Jillian MacMathUK and World News Reporter

UPDATED10:30, 28 FEB 2020

See news near you

Coronavirus: What we know so far

The coronavirus has spread from Wuhan in China to countries across the world, with more than 80,000 confirmed cases and nearly 3,000 deaths worldwide. Here is all you need to know.

TAP TO PLAY

CORONAVIRUS: FIRST CASE CONFIRMED IN WALES

A person has tested positive for coronavirus in Wales, marking the country's first case.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Frank Atherton said the patient was from the Swansea area and had recently travelled back from northern Italy.

Public Health Wales is working to identify the patient's close contacts.

The total number of coronavirus cases in the UK is now 19. Six more cases have been confirmed on Thursday and Friday, including the first in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Frank Atherton, said: “I can confirm that one patient in Wales has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).

“All appropriate measures to provide care for the individual and to reduce the risk of transmission to others are being taken. I can also confirm that the patient had travelled back to Wales from Northern Italy, where the virus was contracted.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to assure the public that Wales and the whole of the UK is well prepared for these types of incidents. Working with our partners in Wales and the UK, we have implemented our planned response, with robust infection control measures in place to protect the health of the public.”

10:34

Coronavirus cases have been expected in Wales "for some time"

Dr Atherton said he had been expecting coronavirus cases “for some time” in Wales.

There are now 19 total cases in the UK, across Wales, England and Northern Ireland.

10:30

Press conference underway in Cardiff Bay

A press conference is underway in Cardiff Bay regarding the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Wales.

Chief medical officer Dr Frank Atherton is due to provide the latest information available on the positive diagnosis.

09:59

The symptoms of coronavirus

The symptoms of coronavirus are very similar to illnesses like the common cold and flu. According to the NHS the main symptoms are:

a cough
a high temperature
shortness of breath

It is important to remember that having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have the illness. Ailments like a cold or flu are much more common.

According to the World Health Organisation, some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.

Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Follow this link for more information on coronavirus and the worst affected areas.

09:57

Two new cases in England contracted in Iran

The Department of Health has confirmed the two further cases of coronavirus in England this morning.

Both English patients contracted the virus in Iran, chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said.

The first case in Wales was contracted in northern Italy.

09:49

Full statement from Public Health Wales

Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said:

Public Health Wales is working closely with our partners in the Welsh Government, the wider NHS in Wales, and the other UK nations following the announcement by the Chief Medical Officer for Wales that we have the first case of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales.

The Chief Medical Officer has also confirmed that the patient had travelled back to Wales from Northern Italy, where the virus was contracted.

Public Health Wales is working hard to identify close contacts, and we are taking all appropriate actions to reduce any risk to the public’s health.

The public can be assured that Wales and the whole of the UK is well prepared for these types of incidents. Working with our partners in Wales and the UK, we have implemented our planned response, with robust infection control measures in place to protect the health of the public.”

Coronavirus presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing. The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild.

09:48