FG confirms Ebola disease case in Abuja, calls for collective efforts to check spread

By Stephen Oladele

Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, affecting a woman who just travelled into the country.

The government made the dislosure following laboratory confirmation on Tuesday of the disease.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammad Ali Pate who made the disclosure in a statement said the woman patient recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda and that she was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received care for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed. 

He said that the patient is currently in isolation where she is receiving medical care.

Pate who said that his ministry was working with relevant agencies to check the infection hinted that contact tracing had commenced with 44 close contacts identified at present.

He called on healthcare facilities and personnel across the country to be on alert and observe strict infection prevention and control measure.

“The Federal Minister of Health and Social Welfare and NCDC are working closely with the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities to contain the infection and prevent further spread. 

“Contact tracing has commenced with 44 close contacts identified presently, with public health teams identifying and monitoring people who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts. Surveillance has been intensified, and the hospital is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

“The FG calls on all public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to be on high alert. Healthcare workers must maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities,” he stated.

The Minister alerted people of the country to know that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of someone who is sick with the disease or has died from it, or through contact with contaminated materials and that a person with Ebola cannot spread the disease before symptoms begin.

He advised the people to:

“1. Remain calm but vigilant. There is no need for panic.

2. Practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected to have Ebola.

3. Watch for symptoms, including fever, severe weakness, 

headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure.

“4. Report any possible exposure immediately, even if you feel well. If you develop symptoms, avoid close contact with others and call public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.

5. Cooperate with public health teams. Anyone contacted during contact tracing, including relevant airline passengers, should 

provide the necessary information and follow public health 

advice.

6. Avoid rumours and stigma. Share only verified information from official health authorities.”

Pate while assuring the people of government’s capacity to contain spread of Ebola recalled that Nigeria successfully contained the disease in 2014, and said that the country had the experience and public health systems to respond to the present case. 

He however said that containing Ebola requires everyone to play their part.

“The Federal Government, FCT authorities and other partners are working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public.

“Investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to provide accurate and timely information.

We urge Nigerians to remain calm, stay vigilant and cooperate with public health authorities. Early detection, prompt reporting and everyone’s cooperation are critical to preventing further spread,” he said.

The Minister assured that the government through the Presidential Taskforce on EVD and NCDC will continue to provide updates on the development.