The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has
given details of how it made a daring move to avert what would have caused
national panic over Ebola outbreak last month when its officials intercepted a
passenger, who was traveling through the Lagos airport, on suspicion of being
infected with the Ebola virus.
Although there is presently no confirmed case of
Ebola infection in any part of Nigeria, the deadly disease is still causing
havoc in the Democratic Republic of Congo and countries bordering it.
The NCDC weekly situation report said: "On June 17, 2019, a passenger traveling
through the Lagos airport fell ill and was immediately suspected for Ebola
virus. While this turned out to be false, it provided an opportunity for NCDC,
Port Health Services (PHS) and other partners to test the country’s level of
preparedness."
It said the passenger who fell ill while in transit
was immediately isolated and taken to a facility for screening for possible
Ebola infection.
According to the report, the passenger who came in
with fever was immediately detected and isolated as well as managed under
strict infection prevention and control measures. In addition, NCDC, PHS, World
Health Organisation (WHO) and partners carried out a risk assessment
immediately to define response activities as needed. The Permanent Secretary of
Health Ministry quickly issued a statement and led a high-level delegation of
staff from the ministry and NCDC to Lagos.
In the report issued by the NCDC last week, it
assured Nigerians that it would continue to work with sister agencies and
partners to ensure Nigeria is prepared to prevent, quickly detect and respond
to an Ebola outbreak.
“The ‘Ebola scare’ in June provided an opportunity
for a simulation that highlighted gaps and strengths in the country’s level of
preparedness. NCDC’s capacity has improved with ability to detect the virus in
the National Reference Laboratory; trained human resource for outbreak response
as well as highly pathogenic infection management, an Incident Coordination
Centre for response coordination, risk communications and other aspects,” it
said.
NCDC said it
remained committed to working with the parent ministry and partners to ensure
Nigeria is prepared in the event of an outbreak.
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