The Federal Government has identified 44 close contacts of a woman diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following the confirmation of an imported case from Uganda.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, saying the government had activated emergency public health measures to prevent further transmission of the virus.
Pate said the infection was laboratory-confirmed on October 20, adding that the patient, who arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
He described the infection as “a contained case” and assured Nigerians that the government was working with relevant agencies and partners to limit the risk of further spread.
According to the minister, the woman was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.
He said contact tracing had commenced, with health officials working to identify and monitor individuals who might have been exposed to the virus.
Those being traced include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and people who may have had contact with the patient during her journey to Nigeria.
“Surveillance has also been intensified, and the private hospital where the patient was treated is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures,” Pate said.
The minister urged public and private healthcare facilities across the country to remain vigilant, promptly identify suspected cases and ensure that patients are isolated where necessary.
He also called on Nigerians to observe preventive measures and report suspected cases to public health authorities without delay.
Explaining how the virus spreads, Pate said Ebola could be transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died from the disease, as well as through contaminated materials.
He advised Nigerians to practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having the infection.
Pate listed fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea among the symptoms of Ebola, particularly in people with a history of possible exposure.
He urged anyone who might have been exposed to the virus to contact health authorities immediately, even if they were not experiencing symptoms.
The minister further advised anyone who developed symptoms to avoid close contact with others and call public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
He appealed to people contacted by public health teams during the tracing exercise, including relevant airline passengers, to provide the necessary information and comply with official instructions.
Pate also warned against spreading rumours, misinformation or stigmatising people who might have been exposed to the virus, urging Nigerians to rely on verified information from official health authorities.
Recalling Nigeria’s successful containment of an Ebola outbreak in 2014, the minister said the country had previous experience in managing the disease and had public health structures to respond to the latest case.
He, however, stressed that public cooperation, early detection and prompt reporting of suspected infections would be critical to preventing further transmission.
“The Government of Nigeria through the Presidential Taskforce on EVD and NCDC will continue to provide updates,” he said.
Pate added that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) operated a toll-free call centre around the clock for enquiries and reports of suspected cases.
He urged members of the public to call 6232, the NCDC toll-free number, for information or to report a suspected Ebola case.