By Destiny Obinna
The Imo State Government has heightened disease surveillance and activated precautionary measures following the confirmation of a case of Bundibugyo Ebola disease in Abuja, assuring residents that no case has been reported in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Chioma Vivian Egu, disclosed this in a press release issued on Thursday, urging residents to remain calm and adhere to verified public health advisories.
The development follows the Federal Government’s announcement on October 20 confirming an imported case of the disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the Federal Government, the patient, a woman with a recent history of international travel, was receiving treatment in isolation, while 44 contacts had been identified and contact tracing was ongoing at the time of the announcement.
In response, the Imo State Government said it had placed its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) on heightened alert as a precaution against the potential spread of the disease.
Egu stressed that the measure was preventive and did not indicate an outbreak in Imo State.
As part of its preparedness efforts, the Ministry of Health is strengthening disease surveillance and has directed public and private healthcare facilities to promptly report suspected cases and comply with infection prevention and control procedures.
The government is also reviewing isolation facilities, referral arrangements, the availability of personal protective equipment and safe clinical waste disposal procedures.
According to the statement, the state is coordinating its response with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other federal health authorities.
Government Issues Safety Advisory
Explaining how the disease spreads, Egu said Ebola could be transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is ill or has died from the disease, as well as through contaminated materials.
She noted that symptoms could appear between two and 21 days after exposure and might include fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Bleeding could also occur, although it was not always present.
The commissioner advised residents to maintain proper hand hygiene, avoid contact with potentially infectious body fluids and refrain from handling the bodies of people suspected to have died from Ebola.
She also clarified that travelling to or residing in Abuja did not, in itself, mean a person was infected, stressing that the risk depended on relevant exposure.
The statement further urged anyone who suspected they had been exposed to the virus to contact public health authorities promptly, even if they had not developed symptoms.
“Those who develop symptoms should avoid close contact with others and telephone health authorities before visiting a health facility to allow safe assessment and referral,” the statement advised.
Healthcare workers have also been directed to immediately notify their respective Local Government Area Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) of suspected cases and comply with NCDC guidelines.
Public Urged to Report Suspected Cases
To strengthen early detection and response, the Ministry of Health provided the following contact numbers for reporting suspected cases and seeking guidance: Director of Public Health: 0706 802 2510, State Epidemiologist: 08037468991, NCDC national helpline: 6232, toll-free where accessible.
The ministry assured residents that it would continue to provide updates in collaboration with federal health authorities. It urged the public to remain vigilant, follow official health advisories and avoid spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary panic.
