BREAKING: Ebola hits FCT, FG identifies 44 contacts

The dreaded Ebola disease has once again been discovered in Abuja as the
the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), claimed to have traced 44 contacts.

Unfortunately, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda was said to have brought back Ebola to Nigeria.

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The epidemic was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate after a laboratory test.

The woman whose identity was concealed was reportedly admitted to a private hospital in Abuja where she was treated for days, but currently isolated to avoid further contacts.

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The Minister stated that contact tracing had commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far, while public health teams were working to identify and monitor other potentially exposed persons, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.

He said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities were working together to contain the infection and prevent further spread.

He added that surveillance had been intensified, while the hospital where the patient received treatment was receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

The minister urged public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain on high alert, advising healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities.

The minister explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died from the disease, as well as contact with contaminated materials.

He stressed that an infected person cannot transmit the disease before symptoms begin.

He advised Nigerians to practise regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected to have Ebola, and watch for symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure.

He also urged anyone who might have been exposed to report immediately, even if they felt well, while those who develop symptoms should avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.

Pate called on members of the public to cooperate with contact tracing teams, including relevant airline passengers who might be contacted, and avoid spreading unverified information or stigmatising potentially exposed persons.

He said Nigeria had successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 and had the experience and public health systems needed to respond to the latest case.

However, he emphasised that preventing further transmission would require early detection, prompt reporting and cooperation from the public.

The minister said the government, FCT authorities and other partners would continue to provide updates through the Presidential Taskforce on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC.

He advised Nigerians seeking information or wishing to report suspected cases to call the NCDC’s toll-free number, 6232, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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