Ebola Alert: What Nigerians Should Know as NCDC Raises Vigilance
Nigeria is stepping up its surveillance against Ebola following the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) placing the country on high alert.
The development does not mean Nigeria is experiencing an Ebola outbreak.
Rather, the NCDC says the heightened measures are aimed at preventing the disease from being imported and quickly detecting any possible case.
Travellers arriving from countries with active or relevant Ebola transmission may be required to complete Nigeria’s Health Declaration Form as part of enhanced surveillance.
The agency has also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms consistent with Ebola, particularly where there has been relevant travel or exposure history.
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According to the latest NCDC advisory, the DRC had reported 7,672 confirmed cases and 3,699 related deaths as of September 20, based on data up to September 19.
What Nigerians should do
The message from health authorities is not panic but vigilance.
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Nigerians should avoid unnecessary contact with the bodily fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola, maintain good hand hygiene and provide health workers with accurate travel and exposure information.
For travellers, cooperation with screening and health-declaration requirements is particularly important.
Headlineswave Health Note:
An alert is a preventive measure. It should not be interpreted as confirmation that Ebola is currently spreading within Nigeria. Readers are advised not to put themselves in panic mood
