The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to observe preventive measures and cooperate with public health authorities following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The government’s advisory comes after a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. The patient is currently in isolation and receiving medical care, while health authorities have commenced contact tracing to identify and monitor people who may have been exposed.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, said 44 close contacts had been identified as part of efforts to prevent further transmission. Public health teams are also working to identify additional people who may have come into contact with the patient.
Nigerians have been advised to maintain good personal hygiene, wash their hands regularly with soap and running water, and avoid direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola.
The virus spreads through direct contact with the blood and body fluids of infected people who have developed symptoms or those who have died from the disease. Transmission can also occur through contact with contaminated materials.
Members of the public have been urged to watch out for symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly if they have a history of possible exposure to the virus.
Anyone who suspects exposure has been advised to notify public health authorities promptly, even if they have not developed symptoms. People who develop symptoms should avoid close contact with others and contact health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
The Federal Government has also called on public and private hospitals to remain vigilant, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, maintain strict infection prevention and control measures, and report suspected infections to the appropriate authorities.
Healthcare workers have been advised to follow established safety protocols while attending to patients who may have symptoms consistent with Ebola.
The government further urged individuals identified during contact tracing, including potentially exposed airline passengers, to provide the required information and comply with instructions from public health officials.
Meanwhile, surveillance has been intensified, and the private hospital where the patient initially received treatment is receiving support to strengthen its infection prevention and control measures.
The authorities have cautioned Nigerians against spreading unverified information or stigmatising people who may have been exposed to the virus, urging the public to rely on updates from official health agencies.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) operates a toll-free call centre available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Members of the public can call 6232 for information or to report a suspected case.
Nigeria previously contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 through coordinated public health measures, including early identification of cases, isolation, contact tracing and public cooperation.
The Federal Government has stressed that preventing further transmission of the current infection will require prompt reporting, effective surveillance and cooperation from members of the public.
You must be logged in to post a comment.