Nigeria in a bid to protect itself, have advised citizens to avoid all but essential trips to Uganda and other countries with confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases.
The advisory followed the January 30 confirmation of the outbreak of the Sudan strain of Ebola virus in Wakiso, Mukono and Mbale City by the Ugandan Ministry of Health.
“Ugandan health authorities are currently tracking 44 contacts to curb further spread,” Idris said.
Swinging into action, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris said the agency was reinforcing surveillance at entry points, updating emergency response plans and expanding diagnostic capacity in key laboratories.
He however clarified that Nigeria has no recorded cases.
He disclosed that in response to the development, the NCDC has: “Updated its EVD emergency contingency plan. Increased screening at points of entry, particularly international airports.
“Optimised diagnostic capacity for EVD testing in designated laboratories and mobilised Lassa fever testing laboratories, which can be scaled up for Ebola testing if needed.”
The director Director general of NCDC assured Nigerians that proactive steps were being taken to mitigate any risk of an outbreak.
“While there is no immediate cause for panic, we must remain vigilant. The Ebola Sudan strain has no approved vaccine, making early detection and containment critical,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to adhere to the following preventive measures:” Practice good hand hygiene – wash hands regularly with soap and water or use hand sanitisers.
“Avoid contact with persons showing symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting, and unexplained bleeding.
“Refrain from consuming bush meat, especially bats and primates.
“Seek immediate medical attention if experiencing symptoms after travelling to an affected country.”
Additionally, he advised health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, use personal protective equipment (PPE), and report suspected cases immediately.