The Nigeria disease control and prevention Center (NCDC) has announced that two recent suspicious cases of viral hemorrhagic fever in Abuja gave negative for Ebola and Marburg viruses.
The general director of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, in a statement, said that the most recent Ebola case involved a traveler who returned to Nigeria de Kigali and quickly appeared to a hospital in Abuja when he felt bad.
“The decision to inform early, combined with the surveillance of the medical and hospitable team, said that our public health system would be activated immediately and that the risk to the public was minimized,” said Dr. Idris.
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The NCDC has praised doctors and staff of the Premier de Nisa hospital, Abuja, for its high suspicion rate and immediate reports, which triggered a quick and coordinated response.
Dr. Idris also recognized the Epidemiology and Fast Response teams of FCT, the Port Health Services, the National Reference Laboratory, the airline and immigration partners and other interested parties whose rapid collaboration with NCDC demonstrated the strength of the Nigerian preparation system.
Dr. Idris explained that the NCDC has carried out a dynamic risk assessment after recent reports of Ebola viral disease in other countries, and anticipatory measures are being implemented throughout the country.
“We have activated multidisciplinary collaboration with federal and state health authorities, strengthening surveillance at the entrance points, placed alert to insulation/treatment facilities and the preposition of critical prevention of infections and the supplies of related cases of related cases,” he said.
The NCDC National Reference Laboratories remain waiting to provide rapid tests, and public health teams are ready to perform the contact tracking if necessary.
Idris emphasized that beyond these immediate steps, NCDC is also working with states and partners to strengthen preparation in the 36 states and the FCT.
Dr. Idris urged state governments and ministries to continue supporting the disease surveillance officers, guarantee that the insulation centers are functional and provide the necessary resources for a quick response.
He also emphasized the importance of health workers maintaining a high suspicion rate, apply strict infections prevention measures and inform unusual cases immediately.
“Nigerians are urged to practice good hands, avoid contact with symptomatic people, minimize the risk of animals to humans and seek immediate help if they or someone with a trip history to the affected countries develops symptoms,” said Dr. Idris.
The NCDC remains committed to protecting the health of all Nigerians, and Dr. Idris emphasized the importance of continuous surveillance, collaboration in the public and private sectors, and the general public support to prevent, detect and respond effectively to any threat of public health..
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