The Federal Government has confirmed an imported case of Ebola virus illness in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the affected person at present in isolation and well being authorities tracing individuals who could have been uncovered to the an infection.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, saying laboratory assessments confirmed the an infection in a lady who not too long ago travelled to Nigeria from Uganda.
Pate mentioned 44 contacts had been recognized as authorities intensified surveillance on the nation’s entry factors and coordinated efforts to forestall additional transmission.
Patient remoted as authorities hint contacts
Providing particulars of the confirmed case, Pate mentioned the lady started experiencing signs on October 7, along with her situation worsening 4 days later.
According to a authorities assertion, the lady arrived on a world flight from Uganda and was admitted to a personal hospital, the place she acquired take care of a number of days earlier than the prognosis was confirmed.
- “The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital… where she received care for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed,” the assertion mentioned.
- “She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.”
Pate mentioned the Ministry of Health, the FCT Health Secretariat, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and different companions have been working collectively to comprise the an infection and stop additional unfold.
He urged private and non-private well being services to stay on excessive alert, stressing that well being employees ought to keep a excessive index of suspicion for attainable circumstances and promptly report suspected infections to public well being authorities.
The minister additionally suggested Nigerians to stay calm and vigilant, practise good hygiene and look ahead to signs resembling fever, weak point, headache and diarrhoea.
Government attracts on Nigeria’s earlier Ebola response
Pate mentioned the federal government was drawing on Nigeria’s expertise in containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the general public well being methods developed since then.
He mentioned recognized contacts have been being traced and monitored, whereas the federal government would supply well timed and clear updates on the state of affairs.
Nigerians who develop Ebola-like signs after travelling to affected nations are suggested to contact public well being authorities for steerage. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) could be reached on its toll-free line, 6232.
Regional Ebola outbreak raises importation issues
The affirmation comes amid Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the detection of circumstances in Kenya, elevating issues in regards to the threat of the illness spreading throughout borders by means of worldwide journey.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) additionally activated enhanced Ebola surveillance, screening and emergency response protocols at international airports nationwide in May to assist detect and comprise potential imported circumstances.
