The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with contact tracing underway to prevent further spread of the infection.
The government announced the confirmation this Tuesday, October 20, following laboratory tests that confirmed the disease in a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.
According to a press statement issued by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the patient 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, the statement said.
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.
The government said contact tracing had commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far. Public health teams are identifying and monitoring people who may have been exposed to the patient, including healthcare workers, other patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
Surveillance has also 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 across the country to remain on high alert and ensure the prompt identification and isolation of suspected cases.
Healthcare workers have also been urged to maintain a high index of suspicion, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities.
Explaining how the disease spreads, the government said Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died from the disease, as well as through contact with contaminated materials.
It added that an infected person cannot transmit the disease before symptoms begin.
Nigerians have been advised 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 listed fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea among the symptoms to watch for, particularly following possible exposure.
It advised anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to report immediately to public health authorities, even if they feel well. Those who develop symptoms have been urged to avoid close contact with others and seek guidance from public health authorities before visiting a healthcare facility.
The statement also called on people contacted during the tracing exercise, including relevant airline passengers, to provide the necessary information and comply with public health advice.
Reassuring Nigerians, the government recalled that the country successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014, expressing confidence in its public health systems and experience to manage the current case.
However, it stressed that containing the disease would require cooperation from the public, healthcare workers and other stakeholders.
Investigations are continuing, and the government said it would provide further updates through the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC.
Members of the public seeking information or wishing to report a suspected case have been advised to contact the NCDC’s 24-hour toll-free call centre on 6232.
