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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned of the risk of Ebola being imported into Nigeria after Kenya confirmed its first case of the disease.
The NCDC said Nigeria is reviewing its preparedness following the confirmation of the case, which is linked to the ongoing Bundibugyo virus outbreak.
In a statement signed by its Director General, Jide Idris, the agency said there was no confirmed case of Ebola in Nigeria as of October 6.
The NCDC said Kenya’s case highlights the risk of the virus spreading across countries through international travel and population movement.
Kenya became the fourth country to report a case linked to the current outbreak, following the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and France.
Kenya confirms first case
Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Ebola after a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi.
The patient developed symptoms after arriving in Nairobi and was isolated. Samples tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus at Kenya’s National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute.
The patient later died on October 5 despite receiving supportive care. The person was buried under Kenya’s safe and dignified burial protocol.
Nigeria strengthens preparedness
The NCDC said Nigeria had already taken steps to strengthen its preparedness since the outbreak was first reported in the DRC.
The agency said it was working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, state governments and other partners to improve the country’s ability to detect and respond to a possible Ebola case.
The measures include early detection, isolation and referral of suspected cases, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, public awareness and protection of healthcare workers.
The NCDC also said Nigeria had conducted a national Ebola preparedness tabletop exercise to test the country’s readiness to respond to a possible outbreak.
The agency said it would continue to monitor developments in Kenya, the DRC and other affected countries and adjust its preparedness measures when necessary.
DRC remains worst affected
The current outbreak was first reported in the DRC and is linked to the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the DRC had recorded 7,890 confirmed cases and 3,799 deaths as of September 23. This represents a case fatality ratio of 48.1 per cent.
The outbreak has affected 63 health zones across seven provinces, with WHO warning of increased risks of cross-border transmission.
Uganda’s latest Ebola outbreak ended in August, while France reported a travel-related case in June.
NCDC gives travel and health advice
The NCDC advised people travelling from affected areas to monitor their health for 21 days after leaving the affected area.
The agency said anyone who develops symptoms should avoid unnecessary contact with other people and immediately contact public health authorities or visit a recognised health facility.
It also advised affected travellers to clearly disclose their travel history and any possible exposure to Ebola.
The NCDC urged Nigerians to maintain good hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of sick or deceased persons.
Health workers were also advised to maintain a high level of suspicion when treating patients with symptoms linked to Ebola, especially those who have travelled to or had contact with people from affected areas within the previous 21 days.
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