The Federal Government has directed hospitals nationwide to prepare isolation beds and strengthen infection prevention measures following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, issued the directive in Abuja, urging healthcare facilities to prepare for suspected cases and ensure the safety of frontline health workers.
Pate disclosed that 21 states had updated their Ebola response plans, while 15 others were yet to complete the necessary preparations. He urged the affected states to urgently strengthen their readiness for a possible spread of the virus.
According to the minister, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is coordinating the national response in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
He emphasised the need for early detection, contact tracing, laboratory testing and adequate isolation facilities, stressing that strict infection prevention and control measures were essential to protect healthcare workers.
The minister also urged private hospitals to promptly report suspected Ebola cases to public health authorities, noting that the infected woman had sought treatment at a private facility before the infection was confirmed.
Pate said the government had activated its incident management system and provided additional funding to the NCDC to strengthen surveillance, logistics and emergency response efforts.
He added that genomics expert, Professor Christian Happi of Redeemer’s University, Ede, had been invited to support investigations through genomic sequencing.
The minister further disclosed that the Federal Government would engage state commissioners of health and information to improve coordination and ensure effective public communication.
Pate urged Nigerians to remain vigilant without panicking, advising anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle aches, particularly after possible exposure to the virus, to isolate themselves and promptly contact public health authorities.
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He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to contain the outbreak, citing the country’s previous experience in managing Ebola and the capacity of its public health institutions to respond to the current situation.
