The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has raised fresh health concerns across the African continent, prompting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to roll out enhanced precautionary measures.
In an official statement, the NCDC revealed that it has heightened surveillance systems at Nigeria’s borders and points of entry to ensure early identification and isolation of suspected cases. The agency explained that the move is part of a wider strategy involving collaboration with government ministries, international partners, and health stakeholders to guard against an outbreak.
“There are no cases of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria as of now. However, the NCDC, in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and partners, continues to monitor disease occurrence and initiate measures to strengthen our preparedness in the country,” the Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, reassured citizens.
According to the agency, hospitals nationwide have been placed on alert, with healthcare workers instructed to observe strict infection prevention and control guidelines. Public sensitization campaigns have also been activated to provide accurate information, counter false narratives, and guide citizens on preventive actions.
The NCDC encouraged Nigerians to wash their hands regularly, avoid handling wild animals such as fruit bats and monkeys, and refrain from eating raw or undercooked meat. Citizens were also advised to report anyone showing symptoms such as vomiting, unexplained bleeding, fever, or diarrhoea after recent travel to affected regions.
Travel advisories were issued, urging Nigerians to postpone non-essential trips to countries currently battling Ebola cases. Anyone already back from those areas was asked to remain observant for 21 days and report symptoms immediately.
The NCDC said vaccines and treatments are available for some Ebola strains, but stressed that early detection, patient isolation, safe burials, and contact tracing remain the most effective tools to contain transmission.
0 Comments