Ebola: Nigeria Records Zero Secondary Infections As 62 Contacts Exit Monitoring

Nigeria has recorded zero secondary transmission of the lethal Bundibugyo Virus Disease, a type of Ebola, following the profitable completion of the 21-day monitoring interval for all 62 contacts linked to the imported case confirmed within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, on October 20, 2026.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, on Thursday introduced that the final contact had been discharged from monitoring, with not one of the 62 people growing the illness.

In one other improvement, the index affected person, who was medically evacuated to Switzerland on October 26 for additional therapy, has recovered, subsequently examined destructive for the virus and been discharged from hospital.

However, the NCDC warned that the profitable completion of contact monitoring doesn’t quantity to a proper declaration that the outbreak is over, insisting that Nigeria should maintain heightened surveillance amid continued Ebola transmission within the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC.

The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, who introduced the event, described the result as encouraging, crediting early detection, immediate investigation and cooperation between well being authorities and affected communities.

“The 21-day monitoring period for contacts linked to the index case has been completed, with the last contact discharged today. We are glad to announce that none of the contacts became ill with the disease, meaning no transmission from the index case,” Idris mentioned.

He disclosed that 13 of the 62 contacts reported fever or different non-specific signs throughout the monitoring interval. All 13 had been examined for Bundibugyo Virus Disease and returned destructive outcomes.

Similarly, seven alerts reported in Adamawa, Rivers, Borno, Lagos and Ekiti states inside the final three weeks had been investigated, with laboratory assessments confirming that none was optimistic for the virus.

The NCDC boss defined that the imported case was detected following an alert raised by healthcare employees by way of the company’s event-based surveillance system, enabling the federal government to activate an emergency response and begin investigations.

Under the management of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the National Emergency Operations Centre was activated, whereas an Incident Management System was established to coordinate the response.

According to Idris, the response targeted on offering scientific care, figuring out and monitoring uncovered individuals, stopping additional transmission, defending healthcare employees and strengthening illness surveillance.

He mentioned contact tracing lined healthcare amenities, households and different related settings, whereas an infection prevention and management measures had been strengthened in well being amenities inside the FCT and throughout the nation.

The company additionally supported healthcare employee coaching and provided private protecting gear and different response supplies to the affected facility and related factors of entry.

Providing an replace on the index affected person, Idris mentioned laboratory assessments performed upon her arrival in Switzerland on October 26 confirmed that she was nonetheless optimistic for the virus.

However, following additional therapy and care, she recovered, examined destructive and was efficiently discharged.

Despite the optimistic end result, Idris mentioned Nigeria’s National Emergency Operations Centre remained activated, with the Incident Management System working at Level 3, the very best response stage for Ebola illness.

He mentioned surveillance would stay heightened nationwide, whereas the nation continued monitoring developments in nations and areas affected by the illness.

The NCDC additionally warned that the approaching December festive season, characterised by elevated motion of individuals, non secular gatherings, live shows, festivals, sporting actions and political campaigns, required sustained public well being vigilance.

Idris urged Nigerians and worldwide guests to hunt medical consideration promptly in the event that they grew to become unwell, notably these with current journey historical past or potential publicity to infectious ailments.

“Do not assume that every fever is malaria, particularly if you have recently travelled or may have been exposed to an infectious disease,” he cautioned.

He suggested folks in search of medical care to reveal their journey historical past and potential publicity to healthcare employees, stressing that such info was important for early detection and acceptable administration.

He additionally warned in opposition to unprotected contact with the blood and different physique fluids of anybody suspected of getting Ebola or one other infectious illness.

The NCDC urged organisers of spiritual gatherings, political rallies, live shows, festivals and sporting occasions to offer acceptable sanitation, secure ingesting water and medical help, whereas guaranteeing immediate reporting of suspected infectious diseases.

Healthcare employees in private and non-private amenities had been equally suggested to keep up a excessive index of suspicion, observe an infection prevention precautions and report suspected circumstances at once.

The company additional reminded inbound worldwide travellers of the requirement to finish the Nigeria Health Declaration Form earlier than arrival and supply correct details about their well being and journey historical past.

“There is no reason for panic. What is required is continued vigilance, early reporting and cooperation with public health authorities,” Idris mentioned.

He recommended President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the FCT well being authorities, Port Health Services and nationwide and worldwide companions for supporting the response.

He notably acknowledged the non-public hospital within the FCT the place the index affected person initially obtained care, noting that its healthcare employees’ vigilance triggered the alert that led to the prognosis.

Idris mentioned the expertise had demonstrated the important function of personal healthcare amenities in illness detection and response, including that collaboration between private and non-private well being sectors remained important to strengthening Nigeria’s well being safety.

He additionally appreciated the 62 contacts and their households for complying with monitoring and quarantine necessities, describing their cooperation as central to the profitable containment of potential transmission.

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