By Editor
The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with contact tracing underway for 44 people following the laboratory confirmation of the infection on Tuesday.
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.
The woman is currently in isolation and receiving medical care, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.
The government said public health teams had commenced contact tracing to identify and monitor people who might have been exposed to the infection, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities are working together to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.
As part of the response, surveillance has been intensified, while the hospital where the patient was treated is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
The government has directed public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain on high alert, urging healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control protocols, and immediately report suspected infections to public health authorities.
Explaining how the disease spreads, the government said Ebola is 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 contact with contaminated materials.
It stressed that a person infected with Ebola cannot transmit the disease before symptoms begin.
Nigerians were urged to remain calm but vigilant, practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having the disease.
The government also advised people to watch for symptoms, including fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly after possible exposure.
Anyone who suspects they may have been exposed was advised to report immediately to public health authorities, even if they feel well. Those who develop symptoms should avoid close contact with others and call public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
The statement further urged people identified during contact tracing, including relevant airline passengers, to provide necessary information and comply with public health advice.
Warning against misinformation and stigmatisation, the government called on Nigerians to rely on verified information from official health authorities.
Pate said Nigeria had successfully contained Ebola in 2014 and had the experience and public health systems required responding to the current case.
However, he emphasised that preventing further spread would require early detection, prompt reporting and public cooperation.
The government said investigations were continuing and promised to provide accurate and timely updates through the Presidential Taskforce on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC.
Members of the public can call the NCDC toll-free number, 6232, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for information or to report a suspected case.
