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Ebola outbreak: NCDC intensifies preparedness as risk of importation surges
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has intensified preparedness in tackling the Ebola virus.
Since its latest outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo on May 15, African nations have been on high alert in checking the spread of the virus through its borders.
The NCDC has classified the risk of importing the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) into Nigeria as high, citing ongoing transmission in parts of East Africa, increased international travel, population movement, and porous borders.
The was disclosed by the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, during a media briefing in Lagos on the country’s preparedness level.
”Since confirmation of the outbreak in the region, NCDC has intensified the preparedness activities nationwide to ensure that Nigeria remains ready to rapidly detect, investigate, contain, and respond to any potential outbreak of the disease.
”Some of the things we’ve done so far are the completion of a national dynamic risk assessment and vulnerability analysis to guide the pregnancy,” he said.
He expressed concerns over the possibility of delayed detection as Ebola symptoms often mimic those of other endemic diseases like malaria and Lassa fever.
Idris stated that the NCDC is intensifying surveillance and preparedness measures to prevent the importation and spread of the virus, including enhanced surveillance at points of entry, laboratory readiness, risk communication, case management preparedness, and coordination with relevant stakeholders across the health sector.
The NCDC boss added that though the country has not recorded any case of the virus, state governments should activate their preparedness mechanisms, ensuring the availability and operationality of emergency response structures.
He further called on healthcare and frontline personnel across the country to maintain a high index of suspicion when attending to patients presenting symptoms similar to those of Ebola.
The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with state governments, healthcare institutions, and other stakeholders, in its preparedness against the Ebola threat.
Ebola has claimed over 15,000 lives in Africa over the past 50 years.
For the current outbreak in DR Congo, official figures reveal more than 220 suspected deaths and 900 suspected cases, with the World Health Organization declaring the development an international emergency.
Uganda recently shut its border with its neighboring DR Congo, as the country has so far recorded fifteen cases, including one death, since its outbreak in DR Congo on May 15.
