The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged Nigerians to stay calm, noting that one confirmed case of Ebola does not mean the nation is experiencing an outbreak.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, gave the reassurance in a video message posted on his X account on Wednesday evening.
“One imported case does not by itself mean that Nigeria is experiencing an Ebola outbreak,” Mr Janabi mentioned.
Mr Janabi mentioned the company is working with the Nigerian authorities and different companions to analyze the case, hint contacts, conduct laboratory testing, implement an infection prevention and management, and defend well being staff and communities.
He urged Nigerians to stay calm, keep knowledgeable and comply with recommendation from public well being authorities.
“There is no benefit in fear or misinformation,” he mentioned. “What helps is early reporting, cooperation with the health authorities, and reliable information from reliable sources.”
Nigeria confirms case
Nigeria confirmed its first case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus illness on Tuesday after a lady who lately travelled to the nation was identified at a non-public hospital in Abuja.
The lady developed signs after arriving in Nigeria and is presently receiving therapy in isolation within the Federal Capital Territory.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated its incident administration system, whereas well being authorities have begun contact tracing. The 44 recognized contacts embrace healthcare staff, sufferers, caregivers and journey contacts.
The Nigerian authorities mentioned the case is presently being handled as an imported an infection fairly than neighborhood transmission.
WHO mentioned Nigeria’s response demonstrates the significance of early detection and speedy public well being motion in stopping additional transmission.
“Africa has considerable experience in responding to Ebola,” Mr Janabi mentioned, including that when instances are detected early, and contacts are adopted carefully, transmission may be stopped or interrupted.
Expert raises prognosis concern
Meanwhile, virologist and Chairman of the West African National Academy of Scientists, Oyewale Tomori, raised considerations concerning the time taken to verify the Nigerian case.
Speaking on Arise TV on Wednesday evening, Mr Tomori mentioned the hole between symptom onset and Ebola affirmation ought to immediate well being authorities to strengthen their diagnostic response.
He mentioned well being staff ought to have a better index of suspicion when treating travellers from areas the place Ebola is circulating, fairly than initially treating signs as extra widespread sicknesses similar to malaria.
“If I hear somebody is coming from a country where Ebola is going on, or close to where Ebola has occurred, my first thought would be, is there Ebola?” he mentioned.
Mr Tomori additionally urged authorities to organize for the likelihood that extra instances may emerge among the many 44 contacts presently being monitored.
DRC outbreak continues
The Nigerian case comes amid a big Ebola outbreak within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the place the Bundibugyo virus has continued to unfold.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the DRC reported 9,552 confirmed instances and 4,602 associated deaths as of 19 October, based mostly on knowledge as much as 18 October.
The outbreak has affected 66 of 178 well being zones throughout eight provinces, with Ituri remaining essentially the most affected province.
Kenya has additionally recorded imported instances linked to the DRC outbreak, with well being authorities reporting 9 confirmed instances as of 20 October.
Mr Janabi mentioned the evolving state of affairs within the DRC is a reminder for nations throughout Africa to take care of sturdy surveillance, laboratory readiness and speedy response capability.
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