NCDC places Lagos, FCT, Rivers, 7 others among high-risk states for Ebola importation
- +..tasks states on emergency preparedness outbreak worsens
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Rivers and seven other states as high-risk areas for possible Ebola importation as the Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease outbreak worsens in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Rivers and seven other states as high-risk areas for possible Ebola importation as the Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease outbreak worsens in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Other states are Kano, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba and Adamawa.
In a national public health advisory sent to commissioners for health in the 36 states and the FCT, the agency said the assessment was based on increasing regional transmission, international travel, regional population movement, major airports, seaports, porous land borders, informal crossings and trade routes.
The NCDC said though Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of the outbreak but warned that the overall risk of importation into the country remains high.
The NCDC noted that a total of 1,077 suspected cases and 247 deaths have been reported in the DRC and Uganda, adding that the case fatality rate was as high as 24.6%, with the 14-45 age group mostly affected.
The agency also placed Ogun, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Plateau, Kogi, Niger, Jigawa, Katsina, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Abia and Bayelsa as moderate risk states, while the remaining states were placed under baseline preparedness.
The agency therefore tasked states and the FCT on emergency national preparedness and readiness efforts to ensure that every State can reasonably detect, contain, and respond swiftly to any suspected case while protecting health workers and sustaining essential health services.
It warned that there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments available for Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease, thus, control of the outbreak depends largely on rapid public health measures, including early detection, prompt isolation of suspected and confirmed cases, strict infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, contact tracing, safe burial practices, community engagement, and strong surveillance systems.
It also noted that suspected cases have been reported India, while Canada has announced a ‘temporary pause’ on travel applications by residents DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan due to the outbreak, while Uganda also announced border closure measures.
“While all States and the FCT must maintain Ebola preparedness, the pace of readiness should reflect each State’s importation and transmission risk”, the NCDC stated.
It said the classification is intended to guide readines prioritisation while preserving the expectation that every State will act immediately on any suspected case, adding that this risk stratification may change as the situation evolves.
“In the spirit of shared national preparedness, Honourable Commissioners are requested to provide leadership for coordinated Ebola readiness across their respective States and the FCT, with technical support from NCDC”, the agency urged.
“NCDC will continue to provide national coordination, technical guidance, and escalation support, and we count on the leadership of Honourable Commissioners to translate this national posture into practical readiness across state health systems,” the agency added.
