The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Wednesday said it has heightened surveillance and vigilance after Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Ebola virus disease (EVD).
Jide Idris, NCDC’s director-general, who made the disclosure via a statement, said the case was linked to an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Idris said the incident raises the risk of international importation through travel and population movement, including into Nigeria.
“According to the Kenyan ministry of health, the confirmed case was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC,” the statement reads.
“He travelled from the DRC by road to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi, where he was subsequently isolated and tested positive for Bundibugyo virus.
“The patient regrettably died, and Kenyan health authorities have commenced contact tracing and other response measures.”
Idris said there is no confirmed case of Ebola in Nigeria as of October 6.
He added that the agency has been monitoring the Ebola outbreak in the DRC while working with the federal ministry of health and social welfare, port health services, state governments and other partners to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness.
He said the measures include early detection, isolation and referral, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication and protection of healthcare workers.
The director-general said the NCDC has conducted a national Ebola preparedness tabletop simulation exercise to test response arrangements and identify gaps.
“As a result of this latest development, NCDC is reviewing the risk to Nigeria and existing preparedness measures to ensure that they remain appropriate to the evolving situation,” Idris said.
“These measures will be adapted and strengthened as necessary, working with relevant national and subnational authorities and partners.”
He added that Nigerians should remain calm but vigilant, practise regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of people who are ill.
The NCDC director-general cautioned that citizens should avoid handling sick, dead wild animals, and consuming improperly prepared bushmeat.
He urged people who become ill after recent travel to either an affected area or contact with a suspected or confirmed case, to seek care promptly at a recognised health facility.
The director-general said healthcare workers should maintain a high index of suspicion when assessing patients with either compatible symptoms and relevant travel or exposure histories within the preceding 21 days.
“Also, we will continue to monitor developments in Kenya, the DRC and other affected countries and work with national, regional and international partners to assess the implications for Nigeria and strengthen preparedness as required,” Idris said.
“Finally, Nigeria’s experience with Ebola underscores the importance of early detection and rapid response in preventing onward transmission.
“NCDC urges state governments, healthcare workers and the public to remain vigilant and support ongoing preparedness efforts, in order to ultimately make the country a safer space. Further updates will be provided as the regional situation evolves.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO)in May declared the Ebola outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.
