The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the country has the capacity to contain the imported Ebola case confirmed in Abuja, urging citizens to remain vigilant, follow public health guidelines and avoid spreading misinformation.
The assurance followed an emergency meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness, Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking after the meeting, the Chief of Staff to the President and chairman of the task force, Femi Gbajabiamila, said surveillance systems and preparedness measures had enabled health authorities to identify the case. He added that the government would strengthen existing protocols and enforce public health measures more rigorously.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said contact tracing and isolation measures were ongoing, with the Federal Government working alongside the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and other relevant agencies.
Pate said Nigeria was also collaborating with Uganda as authorities investigated the circumstances surrounding the imported infection. He urged Nigerians to rely on verified information and comply with official public health directives.
The Federal Ministry of Health confirmed on October 20 that a woman who had recently travelled from Uganda tested positive for Ebola and was receiving care in isolation in the Federal Capital Territory. Authorities initially identified 44 contacts, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts, for monitoring and follow-up.
The government has directed public and private health facilities to remain on high alert, promptly isolate suspected cases and report them to public health authorities.
Nigeria successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014, and Pate expressed confidence in the country’s public health expertise. However, authorities continue to emphasise vigilance and cooperation to prevent further transmission.