Ebola: Medical expert demands contact tracing for all travellers, no VIP exemptions

Professor Oladapo Ashiru, the President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, has urged for mandatory Ebola contact tracing for all travellers, irrespective of their political or social standing, and the establishment of permanent disease surveillance facilities in Nigeria's 774 local government areas. During an interview with ARISE News, Ashiru cautioned that exempting influential individuals from airport screening procedures could weaken the nation's efforts to control the disease.

He emphasized that universal contact tracing was crucial due to Ebola's incubation period ranging from two to 21 days before clinical signs and symptoms appear. Ashiru advocated for a 21-day monitoring period for potentially exposed travellers to determine when they are no longer at risk. The medical expert called for a continuous public health surveillance system to combat communicable diseases, rather than temporary measures concentrated on individual outbreaks.

Ashiru criticized the lack of sustained public health infrastructure following previous Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks, urging the government to maintain and adequately fund such facilities. He praised the authorities for identifying and diagnosing the recent Ebola case in Abuja but warned that failing to recognize and isolate the infection could have exacerbated the situation.

Ashiru encouraged Nigerians to refrain from handshakes, hugs, and other forms of physical contact, recommending alternative greetings like "how are you" or "good morning." He advised individuals to wash their hands upon returning home, utilize alcohol-based sanitizers, and avoid contact with infected persons. Ashiru warned that Nigeria's vast population and frequent social gatherings could complicate contact tracing if preventive measures were disregarded.

He urged hospitals and private clinics to remain vigilant and promptly assess patients with fever or symptoms potentially associated with Ebola. Ashiru stressed that public awareness and healthcare workers' ability to identify suspected infections were vital components of the country's preparedness.