Nigeria on alert as Uganda confirms Ebola outbreak

• NOA sensitises Bayelsa residents to curb Cholera spread

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed the country on high alert following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Uganda.

On January 30, the Ministry of Health in Uganda confirmed an outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) caused by the Sudan specie, Wakiso, Mukono and Mbale City in Mbale district. So far, only one case has been reported, and one death (confirmed by post-mortem). Meanwhile, 44 contacts are being followed up.

NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, in a statement, yesterday, said NCDC has activated its systems, and was monitoring the regional and global situations, noting that Uganda has experience in responding to Ebola Disease outbreaks, and that necessary actions have been initiated in that regard.

He confirmed that there were vaccines and therapeutics available for some strains of the virus, and that the approved vaccine for the Zaire species (EBV) is not available in Nigeria yet, but can be obtained from the WHO Afro, and does not protect against the Sudan virus.

He insisted that early recognition, isolation of patients, initiation of supportive treatment, implementing infection and control measures in health facilities and homes, tracing and monitoring of contacts, and safe burial practices, significantly reduce morbidity and the probability of death.

Healthcare workers were asked to maintain a high index of suspicion for EVD in their encounter with patients, and in the management of a suspected or confirmed case of EVD, such healthcare workers should ensure strict isolation of the patient.

The NCDC boss, however, asked individuals with recent travel history to or transit through countries with Ebola cases in the last 21 days who experience symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhoea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising to promptly call NCDC or State Ministry of Health hotlines for assessment and testing.

Meanwhile, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Bayelsa, said it has commenced sensitisation to alert the residents of an outbreak of cholera in the state.

The statewide sensitisation followed confirmation of the outbreak by Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, the State’s Commissioner for Health, on Jan 26.

Acting State Director of NOA in Bayelsa, Mrs. Grace Olobio, in a statement in Yenagoa said “the outbreak is believed to have been caused by contamination of water sources and poor sanitation facilities in the affected areas.”

She explained that signs and symptoms of the disease included: diarrhea, low blood pressure, dehydration, sunken eyes and extreme thirst, rapid weight loss, dry and shriveled skin as well as vomiting.

The NOA boss advised the residents to prevent the disease by boiling their water before drinking, washing their hands frequently with soap and running clean water.

She further counselled the people to avoid eating raw and undercooked foods, avoid open defecation and improper disposal of waste.

While calling for calm, the NOA boss urged residents of the state to take immediate precautions to prevent further spread of cholera across the state.

She urged the residents to seek medical attention whenever symptoms of the disease are noticed.