Nigeria's health authorities on Tuesday claimed they were ready to cope with an outbreak of swine flu in the oil-rich west African country of 140 million inhabitants.
"The federal government is fully prepared to contain any outbreak of swine flu in the country," Health Minister Babatunde said in a statement published in the local media.
Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation.
The swine flu outbreak that began in Mexico has raised fears of a global pandemic after suspected and confirmed cases were detected in parts of Europe, the United States and New Zealand.
"We have strengthened surveillance at all ports of entry into the country -- airports, seaports and all land borders," Osotimehin said.
The minister said that although there had not been any reported case of the disease in the country, he advised Nigerians to report any suspected cases to the health authorities for appropriate action.
"People usually get swine influenza from pigs, however human-to-human transmission has occurred in some instances," he said.
Copyright 2009 AFP Global Edition
