The Federal Government has said there will be no restriction on large public gatherings following the confirmed Ebola case in Abuja.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing in Abuja, saying there is no indication yet to alter planned large gatherings. He added that the decision could be reviewed if experts recommend so.
Prof. Pate assured Nigerians that there is no evidence of community transmission of the virus.
Contact Tracing And Surveillance Intensified
According to the minister, health authorities have intensified contact tracing for 44 people who had contact with the index patient at the hospital, a private clinic she visited and among her domestic contacts.
He said contacts have been categorised by level of exposure, with high-risk individuals placed in quarantine and others under isolation in line with public health guidelines.
ALSO READ: Ebola: FG activates emergency response mechanism, says index case in stable condition
The Aviation ministry has placed 46 people on a no-fly list as a precautionary measure.
Prof. Pate said the patient, described as a diplomat born in Uganda who arrived in Abuja with her husband on October 3 via Kampala, was asymptomatic on arrival but developed symptoms days later. Three laboratory tests confirmed the infection, which was diagnosed and reported to the World Health Organisation within 24 hours.
He added that laboratory results show significant improvement in her condition but urged Nigerians to continue to pray for her full recovery.
Emergency Response Activated Nationwide
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention is coordinating the response with the Federal Ministry of Health, the FCT Administration and state governments. The Presidential Task Force, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and National Economic Council have been briefed.
The government said all states have been directed to activate emergency operations centres, prepare isolation beds and strengthen infection prevention measures.
The Africa CDC Director-General, Dr Jean Kaseya, said further information is being sought on the patient’s travel history and possible exposure.
The Federal Ministry of Information has directed NTA, FRCN, VON, NAN and NOA to intensify public enlightenment and grassroots sensitisation.
Prof. Pate urged Nigerians to wash hands regularly, avoid contact with bodily fluids, report suspected symptoms via NCDC hotline 6232, and disregard misinformation.
