Fears are growing about the spread of the coronavirus in Africa after Zimbabwe announced its first cases in one of Africa’s most visited tourist locations.

The pandemic threatens a national health system that has nearly collapsed amid an economic crisis.

Health minister Obadiah Moyo said the infected man lives in the popular tourist destination of Victoria Falls.

He said the 38-year-old had travelled to Britain on March 7, returning home via neighbouring South Africa on March 15.

He put himself in self-isolation upon arrival and later called his doctor after realising “he was not feeling too well”, the minister said.

Also on Friday, two other African nations announced their first cases, Madagascar and Cape Verde. Thirty-nine countries on the continent now have cases, with a total now well above 900.

So far most of the cases in Africa have been linked to overseas travel. But overnight, Niger, in announcing its first case, highlighted possible regional spread inside the continent. Its citizen had travelled via the West African capitals of Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.

Tunisia declared a lockdown. Malawi, without a virus case, declared a state of disaster. Nigeria closed three international airports but those in Lagos and the capital, Abuja, remained open. South Sudan closed its schools.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio directed the military to the international airport and land borders to increase security and “and support compliance with all public health directives” while calling on people not to panic.

Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport said aircraft with foreigners “will be contained at an isolated bay with all officials ensuring the utmost care is taken”, following up on travel restrictions announced days ago when South Africa declared a national disaster.