The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified two suspected cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) as authorities intensify efforts to contain the virus in the country.
NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Sunday during a press briefing in Abuja, saying the agency had also identified 53 primary contacts linked to the confirmed case.
“We have established two suspected cases and 53 primary contact links. They are primary contacts. We have an isolation centre and a quarantine centre,” Idris said.
However, the NCDC clarified that one of the suspected cases investigated in Rivers State subsequently tested negative for Ebola. The confirmed infection remains the only confirmed case recorded in Nigeria.
The 53 primary contacts include healthcare workers, members of the confirmed patient’s household and other health personnel who were involved in collecting samples. The NCDC said none of the identified contacts had tested positive or developed symptoms as of the time of the briefing.
Nigeria confirmed its first case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease on October 20, involving a woman who had recently travelled from Uganda and was diagnosed in Abuja. She is currently receiving care in isolation.
The NCDC said it has strengthened laboratory capacity, with about 12 public and private laboratories available to test for Ebola. Health facilities have also been urged to strengthen screening, triage and infection-prevention measures, while healthcare workers have been advised to use adequate personal protective equipment.
Public health teams are continuing contact tracing and monitoring of people who may have been exposed. The NCDC also urged members of the public contacted by health officials to cooperate with tracing teams and provide accurate information about their movements, contacts and symptoms.