Medical experts have warned that the absence of a legal instrument in the fight to contain COVID-19 makes Nigeria vulnerable to another pandemic, especially ‘Disease X’ which was predicted by the World Health Organisation (WHO). xScientists at WHO is worried that the so-called ‘Disease X’ could cause another epidemic in the next few years. Unfortunately, the only piece of legislation on infectious disease control in Nigeria is the ‘outdated’ Quarantine Act of 1926. However, despite several attempts by the two chambers of the National Assembly to repeal the 96-year-old Quarantine Act, they have not made much progress. The bill is considered, by many, as the Senate version of the controversial Control of Infectious Disease Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives, last year.

Source: The Guardian June 03, 2021 03:11 UTC