The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has allayed fears over the possible spread of Ebola Virus Disease in the country, confirming that a newly suspected case reported in Rivers State tested negative.
The agency said the development was reassuring as health authorities intensified surveillance and contact tracing following the confirmation of an imported case of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The NCDC, however, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, observe recommended preventive measures and rely on verified information from authorised health agencies rather than misinformation that could trigger unnecessary panic.
At a briefing on the country’s response to the outbreak, the agency disclosed that the only confirmed case remained in isolation and was receiving treatment, adding that no deaths had been recorded.
It also said the number of identified contacts of the confirmed patient had risen from 44 to 53, comprising healthcare workers, household members and other people who might have been exposed to the virus.
The contacts are being monitored for 21 days, the maximum recognised incubation period for Ebola.
NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said investigations were ongoing to establish the source of infection and reconstruct the patient’s movements before her diagnosis.
Of the 53 contacts, 44 were identified at a health facility, while nine additional contacts emerged from further investigations. The latter group comprises three household members, three healthcare workers at a university teaching hospital the patient visited before arriving at the facility where her infection was identified, and three members of
the team that collected her samples.
Idris explained that the number of contacts could increase as investigations progressed and more people potentially exposed to the virus were identified.
He said public health officials were interviewing those already identified to establish their movements and interactions and determine whether further contact tracing was necessary.
According to him, contacts who remain without symptoms may be monitored at home, with their temperatures checked twice daily, while anyone who develops symptoms would be promptly assessed and isolated where necessary.
The NCDC chief stressed that being identified as a contact did not mean that a person had contracted Ebola, urging those under surveillance to cooperate with health officials.
He acknowledged that monitoring arrangements could affect the livelihoods of those involved, particularly people whose businesses and family responsibilities might be disrupted by restrictions.
Idris said the Federal Government was considering weekly financial assistance of N100,000 for each of the 53 contacts to cushion the effects of monitoring and possible isolation.
He added that the proposal would require coordination with the FCT administration, which might take over the process, while urging state governments to prepare similar support measures should restrictions become necessary.
On the condition of the confirmed patient, Idris said she was improving, while tests conducted on her husband had returned negative. “The husband has been with the wife. The husband is negative. They travelled together to various places, so the travel history is still unfolding to give us a clear picture,” he said.
The NCDC director-general explained that the patient arrived in Nigeria without symptoms, making it difficult to detect the infection through routine screening at the time of her arrival. He said the infection came to light after health officials reviewed her medical and travel history.
Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Dr Jean Kaseya, had disclosed that the index patient was born in Uganda and arrived in Abuja with her husband on October 3. Her husband is a diplomat with the Swiss Embassy in Nigeria.
Idris said the national incident management system had been activated to coordinate the response involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCDC, FCT health authorities, other government agencies and technical partners.
He added that the country had stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE), with additional supplies expected for healthcare facilities and states managing suspected cases and contacts.
The NCDC is also strengthening diagnostic capacity, with about 12 laboratories identified as capable of testing for Ebola, including the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology in Lagos.
Idris said additional reagents, consumables and technical support were being provided to improve laboratory readiness, while genomic sequencing was ongoing to establish the relationship between the virus detected in the patient and previously identified strains.
He cautioned that not all laboratories possessed the biosafety infrastructure and expertise required to handle Ebola samples.
The Bundibugyo strain responsible for the outbreak currently has no approved vaccine, although vaccine candidates are undergoing clinical trials.
The NCDC urged healthcare facilities to strengthen infection prevention and control measures, maintain a high index of suspicion and promptly report suspected cases.
Idris also advised healthcare workers to implement appropriate protective measures immediately when they encounter a suspected case rather than wait for laboratory confirmation.
He called on Nigerians to practise regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with the blood and other bodily fluids of suspected cases, and promptly report possible exposure or symptoms.
“Our immediate priority is to identify and follow up all contacts, protect healthcare workers, provide appropriate care and prevent transmission into the wider community,” he said.
