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The Federal Government has confirmed one imported case of Bundibugyo ebolavirus in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and has activated public well being response measures to stop additional unfold.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this at a media convention in Abuja on Tuesday, following laboratory affirmation of the an infection on Oct. 20.
Pate stated the affected person, a girl who not too long ago arrived in Nigeria on a world flight from Uganda, was at the moment in isolation and receiving medical care.
He described the case as “a contained case,” whereas assuring Nigerians that the federal government was working with related authorities and companions to stop additional transmission.
Pate stated the lady had been admitted to a non-public hospital in the FCT, the place she acquired look after a number of days earlier than the analysis was confirmed.
He stated contact tracing had commenced, with 44 shut contacts recognized thus far, whereas public well being groups have been figuring out and monitoring individuals who might need been uncovered, together with healthcare employees, sufferers, caregivers and journey contacts.
“Surveillance has also been intensified, and the private hospital where the patient was treated is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures,” he stated.
The minister urged private and non-private healthcare amenities nationwide to stay on excessive alert, keep a excessive index of suspicion, promptly determine and isolate suspected instances.
He additionally urged the general public to look at strict an infection prevention and management measures, and instantly report suspected instances to public well being authorities.
He stated Ebola spreads by means of direct contact with the blood or physique fluids of an contaminated one that is sick or has died from the illness, in addition to contact with contaminated supplies.
Pate suggested Nigerians to practise common hand hygiene, keep away from contact with the physique fluids of anybody suspected to have Ebola and look ahead to signs.
The signs, he stated, included fever, extreme weak point, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, significantly following attainable publicity.
He stated individuals who might need been uncovered ought to report instantly, even when they felt properly, whereas anybody who developed signs ought to keep away from shut contact with others and name public well being authorities for steerage earlier than visiting a healthcare facility.
The minister additionally urged folks contacted throughout the tracing train, together with related airline passengers, to supply the required data and adjust to public well being recommendation.
He cautioned in opposition to rumours, misinformation and stigmatisation, advising Nigerians to depend on verified data from official well being authorities.
Pate recalled that Nigeria had efficiently contained Ebola in 2014 and had the expertise and public well being programs required to answer the present case.
He, nonetheless, emphasised that containing the an infection required cooperation from the general public, early detection and immediate reporting of suspected instances.
“The Government of Nigeria by means of the Presidential Taskforce on EVD and NCDC will proceed to supply updates.
“NCDC free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information or to report a suspected case, please call NCDC toll-free number 6232,” Pate added.(NAN)
