Comoros: Authorities confirm country’s first case of COVID-19 April 30 /update 2

Event

On Thursday, April 30, the President of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, confirmed the country's first official case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Reports suggest that the patient is a 50-year-old French-Comorian resident. The patient has been admitted to hospital and reports indicate that his medical condition is improving and the authorities have begun tracing individuals he has or may have been in contact with.

All international flights remain suspended until further notice and maritime traffic is restricted. President Assoumani previously signed a decree implementing a curfew between the hours of 20:00 and 05:00 (local time) on Friday, April 24, and this curfew remains in place. During the Ramadan period, mosques are also closed. On Sunday, April 26, Comorian security forces fired tear gas to disperse worshippers gathered at mosques at two locations on Anjouan, wounding several. Individuals had congregated at the mosques in violation of COVID-19-related lockdown measures.

Further international spread of the virus is expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

Potentially impacted travelers are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel itineraries, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.

To reduce the general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.