Ebola: 28 contacts still under surveillance, 34 cleared, says NCDC
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says 28 contacts of the country’s single imported Ebola case are still under surveillance. Read More: https://punchng.com/ebola-28-contacts-still-under-surveillance-34-cleared-says-ncdc/
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced that 34 of the 62 people identified as contacts to Nigeria's imported Bundibugyo Ebola case have concluded their required 21-day monitoring period, while 28 others continue to be under surveillance. NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, reported this during a national health security update on Tuesday.
He emphasized that Nigeria has not reported any new Ebola cases since confirming the imported infection from Uganda 21 days prior. Idris stated that the NCDC continues to conduct contact tracing, laboratory testing, and surveillance, while also bolstering readiness for other infectious diseases, such as dengue fever, Chikungunya, cerebrospinal meningitis, diphtheria, and Lassa fever.
He clarified that being categorized as a contact does not imply the individual has contracted Ebola; rather, the monitoring aims to facilitate early detection and prompt response if symptoms emerge. Idris highlighted that the NCDC is working alongside relevant authorities in surveillance and response efforts. He urged healthcare professionals to remain alert, gather patients' travel and exposure histories, and promptly report potential Ebola cases to public health authorities.
Any individual who develops symptoms after possible exposure should avoid contact with others, call the NCDC's toll-free line (6232) for guidance before seeking medical attention. Idris also reported that dengue fever has been confirmed in Sokoto and Zamfara States, while Chikungunya has been confirmed in Sokoto, leading to intensified surveillance and response activities.
He advised households to eliminate stagnant water, cover water containers, clear discarded tires, and protect themselves against mosquito bites, as disease-carrying mosquitoes often bite during the day. Nigeria's response to the imported Ebola case has included contact tracing, isolation, laboratory testing, and intensified surveillance to prevent further transmission.
The NCDC clarified that suspected cases require laboratory confirmation and do not necessarily indicate the individuals have contracted the virus.
Written by urgent.news from Nairametrics's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
