…No new infection 21 days after imported case …Dengue, chikungunya confirmed in two northern states …NCDC steps up alert over meningitis, Lassa fever
By David Comixx
Three weeks after Nigeria confirmed an imported case of the deadly Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease, the country has recorded no new infection. But the reprieve has not eased the pressure on its disease surveillance system, with 28 contacts of the index case still under monitoring and other infectious disease threats emerging across the country.
As health authorities sustain the Ebola response, dengue fever has been confirmed in Sokoto and Zamfara states, while chikungunya has also been detected in Sokoto. The approaching dry season is raising further concerns over meningitis and the seasonal surge in Lassa fever.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, which disclosed this yesterday, said 34 of the 62 contacts identified following the October 20 Ebola confirmation had completed their individual 21-day monitoring period, while the remaining 28 were still under surveillance as of November 9.
Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, said Nigeria had confirmed only one imported case of Bundibugyo Virus Disease, with no additional confirmed infections.
He, however, warned against complacency, insisting that the absence of new Ebola cases must not distract attention from other disease threats requiring urgent surveillance and preparedness.
Idris said NCDC, working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, state governments and partners, had sustained contact tracing, investigation of alerts, laboratory testing, infection prevention measures, safe clinical care and surveillance at points of entry.
He clarified that being identified as an Ebola contact did not mean a person had contracted the disease, explaining that the individual 21-day monitoring period was designed to ensure early identification of symptoms and prompt intervention.
He urged healthcare workers in public and private facilities to remain alert, particularly when attending to patients with fever and other symptoms who have a history of travel or possible exposure.
According to him, Ebola can initially present with symptoms similar to those of common illnesses, making early recognition and prompt reporting critical.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is ill, or contaminated materials.
Idris advised anyone developing symptoms after possible exposure to avoid contact with others and call the NCDC toll-free line, 6232, for guidance before travelling to a health facility.
Beyond Ebola, he expressed concern over the spread of dengue fever and chikungunya, warning Nigerians against assuming that every fever was malaria.
He said NCDC had deployed National Rapid Response Teams, including entomologists from the National Arbovirus Research Centre, Enugu, to support Sokoto and Zamfara states with case finding, laboratory investigations, clinical preparedness, community engagement and mosquito control.
Both infections can cause fever, headache, body pains and joint pains, while dengue can become life-threatening when warning signs are missed, he said.
He urged residents to seek medical attention for persistent fever, particularly when accompanied by rash, vomiting or severe joint pains. Severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding and difficulty breathing, he warned, required urgent medical attention.
The NCDC boss also called for intensified environmental sanitation, urging households to drain stagnant water, cover water storage containers, clear discarded tyres and take measures to prevent mosquito bites. He noted that the mosquitoes responsible for transmitting the infections often bite during the day.
On cerebrospinal meningitis, Idris said the agency was strengthening preparedness as the country entered the dry season, when the risk of the disease increases in parts of the meningitis belt.
He called on states to improve disease surveillance, access to diagnostic services, clinical preparedness and vaccination responses where indicated.
Sudden fever accompanied by severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion or altered consciousness, he said, required immediate medical attention.
Diphtheria also remains a public health concern, particularly among children who have missed routine immunisation, Idris said.
He disclosed that NCDC was supporting states with surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, case management and outbreak response, urging parents and caregivers to check their children's vaccination status and obtain guidance on missed doses.
He warned that fever accompanied by sore throat, neck swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing required prompt medical assessment, stressing that vaccination and early treatment were essential.
On Lassa fever, the NCDC chief said the agency was preparing for the seasonal increase in cases historically associated with the period, rather than waiting until health facilities became overwhelmed.
He said NCDC was working with states to strengthen surveillance, testing, treatment readiness, infection prevention and protection of frontline health workers.
Idris urged households to protect food from rodents, store food in covered containers and maintain clean surroundings. He also advised people with persistent fever to seek medical attention early and share relevant exposure information with healthcare providers.
With the festive season approaching, he warned that increased travel, concerts, religious gatherings, festivals and other mass events could create additional public health demands.
He urged state governments, event organisers and healthcare providers to plan ahead by ensuring access to basic medical assistance, maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation, and establishing clear arrangements for recognising and reporting suspected infectious diseases.
Travellers and participants at large gatherings were also advised to follow public health guidance, seek medical attention when unwell and avoid crowded events if experiencing symptoms.
Idris called on state governments to sustain investments in disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, treatment facilities and community engagement, stressing that frontline health workers needed adequate funding, equipment, supplies and logistical support.
He also urged public and private health facilities to report suspected cases promptly and protect their personnel through appropriate infection prevention measures.
For Nigerians, he advised early medical attention, full childhood vaccination, protection against mosquitoes and rodents, cooperation with public health response teams and avoidance of unverified information about disease outbreaks.
For guidance or to report suspected cases, members of the public were advised to contact NCDC on 6232 or their respective state public health authorities.
"Early detection saves lives. Preparedness protects communities. Everyone has a role," Idris said.
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