FG issues alert after 16 Nigerians die in Ethiopia

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The Federal Government has issued a travel advisory after 16 Nigerians died in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this year due to high-altitude health complications. Read More:…

The Federal Government has raised the alarm over the deaths of 16 Nigerians who reportedly suffered health complications while transiting through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this year, warning travellers with underlying medical conditions to exercise caution.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a travel advisory issued on Saturday, said the fatalities were recorded by Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in the Ethiopian capital and were reportedly linked to health complications associated with the city’s high-altitude environment.

Consequently, the government urged Nigerians, particularly those with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, to seek medical advice before booking flights involving stopovers in Addis Ababa.

According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the Ethiopian capital is situated approximately 2,355 metres above sea level, where lower atmospheric pressure and reduced oxygen availability could pose health risks to people with certain pre-existing medical conditions.

“This year, Nigeria’s Diplomatic Mission in Addis Ababa has recorded 16 deaths involving Nigerians transiting through the city, reportedly linked to health complications associated with high altitudes,” the advisory stated.

It explained that although healthy individuals generally adapt to reduced oxygen levels at high altitudes, travellers with underlying cardiovascular and respiratory ailments could experience increased health risks.

“While healthy individuals are generally able to adapt to reduced oxygen levels in high-altitude environments, persons with certain pre-existing medical ailments, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, may experience increased health risks in such conditions,” the ministry said.

The government advised Nigerians whose medical conditions could be aggravated by high-altitude environments to exercise caution when choosing flights involving stopovers in Addis Ababa.

However, the ministry stressed that the advisory was not intended to discourage…

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