The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC has said Nigeria is at moderate risk of an Ebola virus outbreak.
The NCDC made this known through its website, adding that the decision was based on the country’s proximity to Guinea and other West African countries where the virus has broken out and caused deaths.
A new Ebola virus outbreak was declared earlier on Sunday, after Guinea reported multiple cases, DRC also had earlier, February 7, declared the re-emergence of Ebola.
Since the declaration, the Guinean government has initiated response activities, with the World Health Organization, Africa Centres for Disease Control, and West African Health Organisation have announced that they are supporting the country’s response activities.
The NCDC on its part says it has an existing multi-sectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic Diseases Working Group, which coordinates preparedness efforts for Ebola virus and other emerging viral haemorrhagic diseases, including risk assessment on the possibility of transmission of the virus to Nigeria.
Similarly,
A National Emergency Operations Centre operating from NCDC’s Incident Coordination Centre is on alert mode with a team of first responders on standby, ready to be deployed within 24 hours in the event of an Ebola virus outbreak in Nigeria.
Testing capacity for the virus at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory has also been set.
Still on Ebola virus, the NCDC has advised members of the public to adhere to precautionary measures, which include:
• Washing of hands frequently using soap and water – using hand sanitizers when soap and water is not readily available.
• Avoiding direct handling of dead wild animals.
• Avoiding physical contact with anyone who has possible symptoms of an infection with an unknown diagnosis.
• Making sure fruits and vegetables are properly washed and peeled before eating.
• Health care workers are also advised to ensure universal precautions at all times. This includes the use of personal protective equipment always when handling patients.
The virus can enter the body stream through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth.
This can also be spread through contact with objects contaminated by infected persons as well as direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected fruit bats or primates.
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