The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says it is strengthening surveillance at the country’s borders following the confirmed outbreak of the Ebola virus in Kasai Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Twenty-eight suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, have been reported in Congo.
Jide Idris, the centre’s director-general, in a public health advisory on Saturday, said the NCDC has been working with relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and partners to monitor disease occurrence and initiate measures for curtailment.
The centre stated that “ongoing effort includes heightened surveillance, especially at our borders and points of entry.”
It also noted that “efforts to strengthen infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities across the country” are being put in place.
“Our risk communication and community engagement structures have also been alerted to ensure timely and accurate information is provided to Nigerians as well as track and address perceptions, rumours and misinformation,” the centre noted.
It stated that the recent outbreak of the virus has affected Congo’s Bulape and Mweka health zones, where investigations revealed symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and haemorrhage (bleeding), with a mortality rate currently estimated at 57 per cent.
NCDC described Ebola as a deadly disease transmitted through live or dead animals, stating that early recognition, isolation of patients, and timely commencement of supportive treatment could reduce the probability of death.
The centre urged Nigerians to practice good hand hygiene and avoid risky physical contact with wildlife, including infected fruit bats, monkeys, and other bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, vomit, and urine, of suspected or confirmed EVD cases.
It also urged Nigerians and residents to avoid all non-essential travel to countries with confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease.
The national health body advised Nigerians with recent travel history to countries where cases have been recorded to call 6232 should they have symptoms such as ”fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhoea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.”
NCDC called on all healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for EVD in their encounters with patients while practicing standard precautions at all times.
It assured continued strengthening of surveillance across the country, including borders and airports, especially for travellers from affected areas.
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