…warns Nigerians against contact with fruit bats, monkeys, apes, raw and undercooked meat

THE Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says it has activated plans to prevent another outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the country.

The agency, in a public health advisory issued on Saturday, stated that it was working closely with relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and development partners to monitor disease occurrence and enhance the country’s level of preparedness.

According to the NCDC, measures, including heightened surveillance, particularly at the nation’s borders and points of entry, to ensure early detection of any potential cases, have been activated.

The advisory comes amid Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The agency, in the statement signed by its Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, noted that infection prevention and control practices were also being reinforced in healthcare facilities nationwide to safeguard both patients and healthcare workers.

“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 statement read partly.

In addition, the centre said its risk communication and community engagement structures had been activated to provide timely and accurate information to Nigerians, while also tracking and addressing rumours, perceptions, and misinformation.

“Ongoing efforts include heightened surveillance, especially at our borders and points of entry. There are also ongoing efforts to strengthen infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities across the country.

“Our risk communication and community engagement structures have also been alerted to ensure timely and accurate information is provided to Nigerians, as well as track and address perceptions, rumours, and misinformation,” it noted.

The NCDC said there are vaccines and therapeutics available for some strains of the Ebola virus. However, early recognition, isolation of patients, and initiation of supportive treatment reduce morbidity and the probability of death.

“Equally important is the implementation of infection prevention and control measures in health facilities and homes, tracing and monitoring of contacts, and safe burial practices, which all significantly reduce the transmission of the disease from one person to another,” it further said.

It urged Nigerians to regularly wash their hands with soap under running water or use hand sanitiser when soap and water are not available. The agency also advised the public to avoid physical contact with anyone showing symptoms of an illness with an unknown diagnosis.

To reduce the risk of transmission from animals to humans, Nigerians were cautioned against contact with fruit bats, monkeys, and apes, as well as the consumption of raw or undercooked meat.

The NCDC stressed that animals should be handled only with gloves and protective clothing, while animal products must be thoroughly cooked before consumption.

Furthermore, the agency warned against direct contact with the blood, saliva, vomit, urine, or other bodily fluids of suspected or confirmed Ebola cases.

It added that anyone who develops symptoms of Ebola after traveling to or from an affected country, or knows someone who has, should immediately call the NCDC toll-free line on 6232 or contact their state Ministry of Health hotline for guidance.

In addition to the public advisory, the NCDC issued specific guidance for health workers, stressing the need for strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures.

The centre also issued travel advice, urging Nigerian citizens and residents to avoid all but essential travel to countries with confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease.

It warned that unnecessary travel to affected areas increases the risk of importation and spread of the virus within Nigeria.

For persons already in Nigeria who have travelled to or transited through countries with confirmed cases in the past 21 days, the agency advised vigilance for symptoms such as fever, sore throat, muscle pain, diarrhoea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding and bruising.

It said that anyone experiencing these symptoms should immediately call the NCDC toll-free line or their state Ministry of Health hotline, remain in place to avoid exposing others, and await responders for proper medical care.

The DR Congo said samples tested on September 3 at the country’s National Institute of Biomedical Research in the capital, Kinshasa, confirmed the cause of the outbreak as Ebola Zaire caused by the Ebola virus.

As of September 5, the country had recorded 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths, including four health workers.