EBOLA: FG raises alert level, cautions Nigerians

By Opeyemi Adebiyi -

The federal government, and its health related agencies have raised their level of alertness for the Ebola Virus Disease in the country.
This became necessary following the outbreak of the Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which was confirmed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
WHO declared an Ebola outbreak in the Congo on Thursday after three people died from the disease.
The organisation’s Executive Director for Emergencies, Dr Peter Salama, said in a statement, that “An investigation team led by the Ministry of Health (in DR Congo) and supported by WHO and partners has deployed and is expected to reach the affected area in the coming days.”
The Nigerian government and its agencies have taken preventive moves to forestall the recurrence of the disease which killed eight people in 2014 in Nigeria, and also cautioned its citizens to take preventive steps to secure themselves.
The ministry of health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and all entry point regulation agencies have stepped up surveillance and vigilance to ensure the country does not suffer another scourge of the dreaded ailment.
Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, in a statement on Saturday signed by the ministry’s director of media and public relations, Mrs. Boade Akinola directed port health officials to step up surveillance processes at all entry points to the country and report any person suspected of having the disease to the relevant state epidemiologists for prompt tests.
He said, “The symptoms to look out for include fever, fatigue, weakness dizziness and muscle aches. Patients with more severe cases show bleeding under the skin, internal organs or even from bodily orifices like mouth, ears, and the ears”.
He further advised, “Nigerians are urged not to panic as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is on ground and equipped to secure the health of citizens. The agency has for a while now been strengthening states capacities to detect, manage and respond to haemorrhagic fevers, including Lassa fever.”
Adewole also said, “We are in touch with our port health services and reactivating surveillance. Travel history to be closely monitored. Hand washing should be the routine for all.” He said, “All cases of fever must be handled with care.”
Adewole advised members of the public to observe a high level of personal hygiene, including regular hand washing.
On its part, the Director-general of NACA, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, also noted that measures have been put in place to forestall spread of the disease.
“We are aware and in communication with colleagues via formal channels. We will make a statement on preparedness levels on Monday, he said.
The minister further called for vigilance and increased awareness on the symptoms of haemorrhagic fevers. He said healthcare providers and the general public must immediately report any sign of the illness to public health officials to forestall a reoccurrence of the disease, in Nigeria.
He also called on states to begin social mobilisation and media awareness efforts via television, radio, print and social media, and for health ministries to strengthen their supervision services and escalate any incident appropriately.
He also directed all Nigerian health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion by screening all for Ebola and other haemorrhagic fevers.
Also, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ministry of Aviation all said they were on the alert for any fallout of the outbreak of Ebola from DR Congo, as measures earlier put in place when the scourge first hit Nigeria were still intact.
The agency’s heads all assured Nigerians that there was no cause to worry, even as they also called for vigilance and necessary health precautions on the part of citizens.
Nigeria fell victim to the Ebola virus into July 2014, through an infected Liberian man, Patrick Sawyer, who came in through the Lagos airport. Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh, who treated Sawyer, was among those who died of the disease.
It was successfully contained, with WHO officially declaring Nigeria Ebola free on October 20, 2014.

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