Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare confirmed an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after laboratory confirmation on Tuesday.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said an emergency public health response had been activated, including contact tracing, intensified surveillance and strengthened infection prevention measures.
The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
According to the statement, public health authorities have identified 44 close contacts and commenced contact tracing to identify and monitor people who may have been exposed to the infection. They include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers, and travel contacts.
The ministry, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities are coordinating efforts to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.
The hospital where the patient received care is also receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
Government alerts hospitals nationwide
The Federal Government has enjoined public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to heighten surveillance and remain alert for possible Ebola cases.
Healthcare workers have been advised to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, adhere strictly to infection prevention and control protocols, and immediately report suspected infections to public health authorities.
The alert underscores the importance of early detection and strict infection prevention measures in healthcare settings to reduce the risk of further transmission.
The government said investigations were ongoing and pledged to provide timely updates as more information became available.
How Ebola spreads
Ebola is a severe viral disease that spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of a person who is sick with the disease, or someone who has died from it. Transmission can also occur through contact with contaminated materials.
According to the government, a person infected with Ebola cannot transmit the disease before symptoms begin.
Symptoms may include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea. People who may have been exposed are advised to report their exposure immediately, even if they feel well.
Anyone who develops symptoms after a possible exposure should avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
The government has also advised Nigerians to practice regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola, and cooperate with public health teams conducting contact tracing.
People contacted during the investigation, including relevant airline passengers, have been urged to provide the necessary information and follow official public health advice.
Government urges Nigerians to remain calm
The Federal Government has also urged Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant, warning against the spread of rumors and the stigmatization of people who may have been exposed to the disease.
It noted that Nigeria’s experience in containing Ebola in 2014 provides an important foundation for responding to the current case.
However, the government stressed that preventing further transmission would require early detection, prompt reporting, strict infection prevention measures and public cooperation.
“The Federal Government, FCT authorities and other partners are working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public,” the statement said.
The government added that the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC would continue to provide updates on the response.
Members of the public seeking information or wishing to report a suspected case can contact the NCDC’s toll-free call center on 6232, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The government urged Nigerians to rely on verified information from official health authorities as investigations and contact tracing continue.
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