Countries across Africa are on high alert following statistics that the deadly Coronavirus has so far infected eight people in six countries on the continent.
The report from the African Union covering the period between Feb 25th and 3rd March lists the affected countries as Algeria with three reported cases, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, each with one confirmed case.
According to the report, the confirmed cases were found on foreign victims who visited the African countries from other areas that already had confirmed infections including Italy, Canada, and France.
There has been fear of a great problem if the China-originated virus was to get to Africa, a continent considered as lacking the capacity to contain the virus that is giving sleepless nights to developed countries including China itself.
So far more than 3,000 people have been reported dead from the virus infection across the world, according to the World Health Organization.
Many countries including Kenya have taken what they described as appropriate measures including screening at border and other entry points, to stop the virus from their countries.
Other measures have included the cancellation of flights from China and public awareness on safety precautions to prevent infection.
Although no case has been reported in Kenya so far, the government has been criticized over the manner it has handled the Coronavirus issue.
Last week there was a public outcry over a plane from China that was allowed to land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and all 239 passengers on board allowed entry to the country.
