Health authorities are tracing individuals who could have come into contact with the affected person in the course of the interval she may have uncovered others to the virus.
Pate mentioned the train coated healthcare employees, sufferers, caregivers and individuals who travelled with the girl.
“Contact tracing has been conducted, and it’s underway as we speak, with 44 contacts already identified presently,” the minister mentioned.
He referred to as on anybody contacted by public well being officers, significantly passengers who could have been on the identical flight because the affected person, to offer correct info and observe the directions given to them.
“Anyone contacted during the contact tracing period that we are in, including those who may have travelled with that individual, should provide necessary information requested and follow public health advice,” he mentioned.
The improvement comes amid rising concern concerning the potential unfold of Ebola throughout borders following latest circumstances reported in East Africa.
On October 6, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) introduced elevated surveillance after Kenya confirmed an imported case of Ebola attributable to the Bundibugyo virus, which was linked to an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The NCDC warned that worldwide journey and inhabitants motion may improve the chance of the illness coming into Nigeria.
(*44*) a part of its preparedness measures, the company mentioned it was strengthening illness surveillance, laboratory testing, isolation and referral providers, contact tracing and an infection prevention. It was additionally working with state and worldwide well being authorities to enhance coordination.
Ebola is a critical viral illness that spreads primarily via direct contact with the blood or different physique fluids of an contaminated one that has developed signs. It can even unfold via contaminated supplies.
Symptoms normally develop between two and 21 days after publicity. They could embody fever, extreme headache, weak point, muscle ache, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Health officers say figuring out and monitoring contacts is crucial as a result of folks uncovered to the virus could not develop signs instantly. Being recognized as a contact doesn’t imply an individual has contracted the illness.
Pate mentioned the federal government was stepping up surveillance and supporting the non-public hospital the place the girl initially obtained remedy to strengthen an infection prevention and management measures.
He urged private and non-private healthcare amenities throughout the nation to stay alert, isolate suspected circumstances promptly and report them instantly to public well being authorities.
The minister additionally appealed to Nigerians to stay calm, practise common handwashing, keep away from contact with the physique fluids of anybody suspected of getting Ebola and chorus from sharing unverified info or stigmatising individuals who could have been uncovered.
He recalled Nigeria’s profitable response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak, expressing confidence in the nation’s public well being experience and response techniques.
The Federal Government mentioned investigations and call tracing have been ongoing, including that additional info can be supplied because it turned accessible.
Members of the general public can name the NCDC’s toll-free quantity, 6232, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days every week, for info or to report a suspected case.
