Nigeria At High Risk Of Ebola, NCDC Warns
Category: Nigeria News
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has said that Nigeria is
at high risk of Ebola virus disease following the outbreak of the disease in
Uganda.
The NCDC, in a release on Tuesday, signed by its
Director-General, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, stated that it was on high alert, adding
that “the likelihood of importation of the disease to Nigeria is high due to
the increased air travel between Nigeria and Uganda, especially through
Kenya’s Nairobi airport, a regional transport hub, and other neighboring
countries that share a direct border with Uganda.”
According to
the NCDC, the ongoing outbreak of Ebola virus disease was caused by the Sudan
strain of the Ebola virus in Uganda as declared on September 20, 2022.
The statement partly read, “The Uganda Virus Research Institute
confirmed the virus in samples collected from a 24-year-old male who exhibited
symptoms of the disease and later died as a result in Mubende District in the
Central Region about 175km from the capital, Kampala. As of September 29,
2022, the Ugandan Ministry of Health has reported 54 cases (35 confirmed and
19 probable) and 25 deaths (seven confirmed and 18 probable). The Ugandan
Ministry of Health with support from the WHO is working to effectively respond
to and contain the spread of the virus.
READ: Ebola: Heartbreaking Photos Detailing Outbreak in Liberia
“The NCDC-led multisectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic
Diseases Technical Working Group working with partners and stakeholders has
conducted a rapid risk assessment to guide in-country preparedness activities.
The NEVHD TWG coordinates preparedness efforts for EVD and other emerging
viral haemorrhagic diseases.
“Based on available data, the overall risk of importation of the Ebola virus
and the impact on the health of Nigerians has been assessed as HIGH for the
following reasons:
“The Sudan Ebola Virus does not currently have
an effective drug for treatment or licensed vaccine for prevention.
“The extent of the outbreak in Uganda has not yet been ascertained
as investigations have shown that some persons may have died with similar
symptoms which were not reported to health authorities. In addition, their
burials were not conducted safely to prevent transmission.
“The
case fatality rate of the Sudan virus varied from 41% to 100% in past
outbreaks.
“The likelihood of spread in Nigeria following importation is high due to the
gatherings and travel associated with politics, the coming yuletide as well as
other religious gatherings and festivals during the last few months of the
year.”
However, the NCDC said, despite this risk assessment,
Nigeria had the capacity – technical, human (health workforce), and diagnostic
– to respond effectively in the event of an outbreak.
“Currently,
no case of EVD has been reported in Nigeria. Nonetheless, the Nigerian
government through the NCDC’s multisectoral NEVHD TWG has put several measures
in place to prevent and prepare for immediate control of any outbreak of the
disease in-country,” it noted, adding that the NCDC Incident Coordination
Centre is now in alert mode.
“Passengers arriving from Uganda and
persons who transited in Uganda are being followed up for 21 days of their
arrival in Nigeria on their health status.
“Trained Rapid Response
Teams are on standby to be deployed in the event of an outbreak.
“Public Health Emergency Operations Centres in states with major
points of entry, that is, Lagos, Kano, Abuja, and Rivers states are on
standby. A medical countermeasures plan is available.
“Amplification of risk communication and engagement with states and partners
to strengthen preparedness activities which include– a review of risk
communication protocols, plans, and messages in the event of an outbreak,” the
NCDC added.
Wontunde!
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