By Destiny Obinna
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has intensified efforts to contain the confirmed Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, with 53 contacts identified for monitoring, as the infected woman reportedly improves in isolation.
The agency has directed public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to strengthen screening, promptly isolate suspected cases and protect health workers, warning that hospitals must not wait for laboratory confirmation before implementing infection prevention measures.
Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, gave the directive on Sunday while briefing journalists on the country’s response to the confirmed case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease.
According to the agency’s October 24 situation report, the 42-year-old woman is receiving treatment in isolation and has improved remarkably. The report said 53 contacts had been identified, categorised and placed under follow-up.
Idris said the immediate priority was to prevent further transmission through contact tracing, early detection, appropriate clinical care and stronger infection prevention and control across health facilities.
“Any suspected case must be promptly separated from other patients and reported to the relevant public health authorities. Healthcare workers should not wait for laboratory confirmation before taking appropriate precautions,” he said.
The NCDC chief also appealed to Nigerians contacted by public health officials to cooperate with the tracing exercise, provide accurate information and report any symptoms or possible exposure.
“Being identified as a contact does not mean that you have Ebola,” Idris said, explaining that the monitoring process was designed to identify possible infections early and prevent further spread.
The 53 contacts include healthcare workers, domestic staff and the patient’s spouse, among others identified during investigations. They are to be monitored for 21 days after their last possible exposure.
How the case was detected
The NCDC said the case was identified after healthcare workers recognised symptoms that raised suspicion, prompting an alert through its event-based surveillance system.
The patient, a 42-year-old woman, returned to Nigeria from Uganda through Addis Ababa on October 3. She developed symptoms on October 7, visited a private health facility on October 10 and was admitted at another private facility on October 11.
The agency was notified on October 19, and laboratory confirmation followed on October 20.
Her symptoms included fever, diarrhoea, generalised body aches and sore throat. No bleeding was reported.
Idris commended the healthcare workers whose vigilance contributed to the detection, saying their clinical judgement was critical in triggering the national response.
“The detection of this case demonstrates the importance of the surveillance systems we have continued to strengthen over the years,” he said.
Rivers suspected case tests negative
The NCDC situation report also disclosed that a suspected Ebola case reported by Rivers State on October 23 tested negative for the disease.
The result was communicated to the state, according to the report.
The agency said the national Incident Management System had been activated at the highest level, with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, FCT health authorities and technical partners coordinating the response.
It added that contact tracing was continuing, while laboratory capacity, surveillance, risk communication and preparedness at healthcare facilities were being strengthened.
The NCDC also said genomic sequencing of the confirmed patient’s sample had been completed by its National Reference Laboratory and the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases.
Hospitals told to strengthen protection
Idris urged hospitals to ensure that screening and triage procedures were consistently implemented, with particular attention to patients presenting with compatible symptoms and relevant travel or exposure histories.
He said hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, injection safety, safe handling of sharps and proper waste management must be observed at all times.
Healthcare facilities were also directed to ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment was available in sufficient quantities and that staff were trained to use it correctly.
“Protecting healthcare workers is essential to protecting the communities they serve,” he said.
The agency is working with FCT health authorities to strengthen isolation readiness, support infection prevention and control measures, and ensure suspected cases are promptly investigated and tested.
NCDC recalls 2014 outbreak
Idris said Nigeria was drawing on lessons from its successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, particularly in early detection, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, and public cooperation.
He warned, however, that misinformation could undermine the current response by creating fear and discouraging people from reporting symptoms or cooperating with public health teams.
“False information can create fear, discourage people from reporting symptoms and undermine the cooperation essential to stopping transmission,” he said.
He advised Nigerians to practice regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of suspected cases, and immediately report possible exposure, even if they felt well.
Anyone who develops symptoms after possible exposure should contact public health authorities and follow their instructions before visiting a healthcare facility.
The NCDC said the situation remained under active investigation and that response measures would be adjusted as new evidence emerged.
“Our immediate priority is to identify and follow up all contacts, protect healthcare workers, provide appropriate care and prevent transmission into the wider community,” Idris said.
