The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant following the confirmation of an Ebola disease case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), calling on the public to observe preventive measures and report suspected cases promptly to prevent further spread of the infection. In a statement signed by…...
The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant following the confirmation of an Ebola disease case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), calling on the public to observe preventive measures and report suspected cases promptly to prevent further spread of the infection.
In a statement signed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the government called on Nigerians to observe preventive measures, report suspected cases promptly and cooperate with public health authorities to prevent further spread of the infection.
According to the statement, the patient is a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda and was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.
The government said the woman had been isolated and was receiving medical care, while public health authorities had commenced contact tracing to identify and monitor people who might have been exposed to the infection.
“Contact tracing has commenced with 44 close contacts identified presently, with public health teams identifying and monitoring people who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts,” the statement said.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) are working with the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.
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The government also disclosed that surveillance had been intensified, while the hospital where the patient received treatment was being supported to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
As part of efforts to prevent further spread, the Federal Government called on public and private healthcare facilities across the country to remain alert and promptly report suspected cases.
“Healthcare workers must maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures. and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities,” the statement said.
The government also urged Nigerians to understand how Ebola spreads and take precautions, explaining that the virus is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person or someone who has died from the disease, as well as contact with contaminated materials.
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It stressed that infected persons cannot transmit the disease before symptoms begin.
Members of the public were advised to practise regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected to have Ebola and watch for symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly after possible exposure.
The statement further urged anyone who might have been exposed to report immediately, even if they felt well. Those who develop symptoms were advised to avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
The government also called on individuals contacted during contact tracing, including relevant airline passengers, to provide the necessary information and comply with public health advice.
It cautioned against spreading unverified information or stigmatising people who might have been exposed, urging Nigerians to rely on official health authorities for updates.
Reassuring the public of the country’s capacity to respond, the government said Nigeria had successfully contained Ebola in 2014 and had experience and public health systems to manage the current case.
“Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014, and we have the experience and public health systems to respond to this case. However, containing Ebola requires everyone to play their part,” the statement said.
It added that the Federal Government, FCT authorities and other partners were working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public, while investigations into the case continued.
The government said the Presidential Taskforce on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC would continue to provide updates, urging Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with public health authorities.
For information or to report a suspected case, members of the public were advised to contact the NCDC’s toll-free call centre on 6232, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.