28 Ebola contacts stay underneath surveillance in Nigeria – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has disclosed that 28 folks linked to Nigeria’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease stay underneath surveillance, 21 days after the nation confirmed the an infection.

The company, nevertheless, stated no further Ebola case had been confirmed for the reason that first an infection was detected on October 20, 2026.

The NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Monday throughout a nationwide well being safety replace, the place he additionally raised issues over 5 different infectious illnesses requiring elevated consideration because the dry and festive seasons strategy.

The illnesses embrace dengue fever, chikungunya, diphtheria, cerebrospinal meningitis and Lassa fever.

Idris defined that 62 contacts had been recognized following the affirmation of the imported Ebola case involving a traveller from Uganda.

He stated 34 of the contacts had accomplished their necessary 21-day monitoring interval, whereas the remaining 28 have been nonetheless being monitored.

The NCDC boss clarified that being recognized as a contact didn’t imply a person had contracted the virus, including that surveillance was essential to establish signs early and guarantee immediate medical intervention.

He stated the response, coordinated with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, state governments and improvement companions, remained targeted on contact tracing, laboratory testing, an infection prevention, secure medical care and surveillance at factors of entry.

Idris urged healthcare staff in private and non-private amenities to stay vigilant, acquire sufferers’ journey and publicity histories, observe an infection prevention measures and promptly report suspected circumstances.

He suggested anybody experiencing signs after doable publicity to Ebola to keep away from contact with others and speak to the NCDC on 6232 for steerage earlier than travelling to a well being facility.

Dengue, chikungunya circumstances reported

Beyond Ebola, the NCDC director-general disclosed that dengue fever had been confirmed in Sokoto and Zamfara states, whereas chikungunya had been reported in Sokoto State.

He stated the company had deployed National Rapid Response Teams, together with entomologists, to help affected states with case identification, laboratory investigations, medical preparedness, group engagement and mosquito management.

Warning Nigerians towards assuming that each fever was malaria, Idris stated dengue and chikungunya may additionally trigger fever, complications, physique pains and joint pains.

“Not every fever is malaria,” he cautioned, advising folks experiencing persistent fever, significantly when accompanied by rash, vomiting or extreme joint pains, to hunt medical consideration.

He recognized extreme belly ache, repeated vomiting, bleeding and problem respiratory as warning indicators requiring pressing medical consideration, significantly the place dengue an infection was suspected.

Meningitis, diphtheria and Lassa fever threats

On cerebrospinal meningitis, Idris stated the approaching dry season elevated the danger of infections in components of Nigeria’s meningitis belt.

He urged state governments to strengthen illness surveillance, diagnostic capability, medical preparedness and vaccination responses the place crucial.

The NCDC boss additionally described diphtheria as a unbroken public well being menace, significantly amongst kids who had missed routine immunisation.

He referred to as on mother and father and caregivers to confirm their kids’s vaccination standing and search steerage on missed doses.

On Lassa fever, Idris warned that Nigeria was approaching the interval when infections traditionally elevated, urging state governments and healthcare amenities to strengthen surveillance, testing, therapy preparedness and an infection prevention forward of the seasonal peak.

He suggested households to guard meals from rodents, retailer meals in coated containers and preserve clear environment.

With elevated journey, concert events, spiritual gatherings and festivals anticipated in the course of the festive season, Idris urged state authorities, occasion organisers and healthcare suppliers to make ample medical, hygiene and disease-reporting preparations.

He additionally referred to as on state governments to supply frontline well being staff and response groups with enough funding, tools, logistics and operational help.

Idris urged Nigerians to hunt medical consideration early when unwell, defend themselves towards mosquito and rodent bites, guarantee their kids have been absolutely vaccinated, cooperate with public well being groups and keep away from spreading unverified data.

“Twenty-one days after confirmation of the imported Ebola case, our response remains active. We are also supporting states confronting dengue and chikungunya, sustaining attention to diphtheria, and preparing for meningitis and Lassa fever,” he stated.

He added that Nigeria’s well being safety depended not solely on responding to outbreaks but additionally on early detection, illness prevention and preparedness.