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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), said on Friday, that it has activated its strengthened systems in response to recent outbreaks of Sudan strain of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Uganda.
NCDC said that though, the virus has not been detected in Nigeria, the chances of the outbreak extending to Nigeria is very high due to frequent travel between Nigeria and Uganda through Kenya.
NCDC Director General, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, in a statement on Friday, said the NCDC-led multi-sectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic Diseases Technical Working Group (NEVHD TWG) working with partners and stakeholders has conducted a rapid risk assessment to guide in-country preparedness activities.
He explained: “Based on available data, the overall risk of importation of the Ebola virus and the impact on the health of Nigerians has been assessed as high for the fact that the Sudan Ebola Virus does not currently have an effective drug for treatment or licensed vaccine for prevention.
“The extent of the outbreak in Uganda has not yet been ascertained as investigations have shown that some persons may have died with similar symptoms which were not reported to health authorities. In addition, their burials were not conducted safely to prevent transmission.”
He maintained that the likelihood of importation to Nigeria is high due to the increased air travel between Nigeria and Uganda, especially through Kenya’s Nairobi airport, which is a regional transport hub, and other neighbouring countries that share a direct border with Uganda.
