The Federal Government has confirmed one imported case of Bundibugyo ebolavirus within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and has activated public well being response measures to forestall additional unfold.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this at a media convention in Abuja on Tuesday, following laboratory affirmation of the an infection on October 20.
Pate mentioned the affected person, a girl who lately arrived in Nigeria on a global flight from Uganda, was at present in isolation and receiving medical care.
He described the case as “a contained case,” whereas assuring Nigerians that the federal government was working with related authorities and companions to forestall additional transmission.
Pate mentioned the lady had been admitted to a personal hospital within the FCT, the place she obtained look after a number of days earlier than the prognosis was confirmed.
He mentioned contact tracing had commenced, with 44 shut contacts recognized to date, whereas public well being groups have been figuring out and monitoring individuals who may need been uncovered, together with healthcare staff, sufferers, caregivers and journey contacts.
“Surveillance has also been intensified, and the private hospital where the patient was treated is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures,” he mentioned.
The minister urged private and non-private healthcare services nationwide to stay on excessive alert, keep a excessive index of suspicion, promptly establish and isolate suspected circumstances.
He additionally urged the general public to watch strict an infection prevention and management measures, and instantly report suspected circumstances to public well being authorities.
He mentioned Ebola spreads by direct contact with the blood or physique fluids of an contaminated one who is sick or has died from the illness, as effectively as contact with contaminated supplies.
Pate suggested Nigerians to practise common hand hygiene, keep away from contact with the physique fluids of anybody suspected to have Ebola and look ahead to signs.
The signs, he mentioned, included fever, extreme weak point, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, notably following doable publicity.
He mentioned individuals who may need been uncovered ought to report instantly, even when they felt effectively, whereas anybody who developed signs ought to keep away from shut contact with others and name public well being authorities for steering earlier than visiting a healthcare facility.
The minister additionally urged individuals contacted through the tracing train, together with related airline passengers, to supply the required info and adjust to public well being recommendation.
He cautioned towards rumours, misinformation and stigmatisation, advising Nigerians to depend on verified info from official well being authorities.
Pate recalled that Nigeria had efficiently contained Ebola in 2014 and had the expertise and public well being methods required to reply to the present case.
He, nonetheless, emphasised that containing the an infection required cooperation from the general public, early detection and immediate reporting of suspected circumstances.
“The Government of Nigeria through the Presidential Taskforce on EVD and NCDC will continue to provide updates.
“NCDC free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information or to report a suspected case, please call NCDC toll-free number 6232,” Pate added.(NAN)
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