Alarmed consumers thronged markets across Africa on Tuesday, many in masks and gloves, to stock up as the coronavirus spread on the world's poorest continent.
Food prices rose in some parts, though at least one country, Rwanda, sought to control costs of staple foods.
"It is as if people are preparing for war," said an astonished shopkeeper as Rwandans clamored for rice, cooking oil, sugar and flour at a market in the capital Kigali.