KEY POINTS
- Ogun State has heightened disease surveillance following confirmation of an imported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory.
- The state says 111 persons of interest linked to travel from high-risk countries have completed monitoring and been discharged from follow-up.
- Health authorities are strengthening preparedness, training frontline personnel and intensifying public awareness.
- Residents can report suspected cases through the state epidemiologist on 08084250881 or the NCDC toll-free line, 6232.
MAIN STORY
The Ogun State Government has intensified disease surveillance and emergency preparedness following confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), assuring residents that no case had been recorded in the state as of Wednesday.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abeokuta, urging residents to remain vigilant, observe preventive measures and avoid spreading unverified information.
Coker said the state had maintained heightened alert since the declaration of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). According to her, 111 persons of interest, comprising passengers from high-risk countries, had been identified, monitored and discharged from follow-up after completing the required surveillance period.
She said Ogun’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre was coordinating preparedness and response activities to support the prompt identification, reporting and management of suspected cases.
The state has also strengthened the capacity of disease surveillance and notification officers, port health officers, health educators, clinicians and community informants through training on appropriate response procedures. Relevant national guidelines and protocols have been adapted and deployed to guide the response.
Coker said public sensitisation and infection prevention measures in healthcare facilities were being intensified. She urged residents to obtain information from official public health authorities and cooperate with surveillance and follow-up teams.
The commissioner listed possible Ebola symptoms as fever, severe weakness, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Unexplained bleeding or bruising may also occur in some cases.
She advised residents to wash their hands regularly with soap and running water and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser when these are unavailable.
The state government is working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to monitor developments and implement appropriate measures.
Coker also urged healthcare workers in public and private facilities to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, and comply with strict infection prevention and control protocols.
At the federal level, Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Pate said the woman whose infection was confirmed in Abuja was in isolation and receiving medical care.
Pate said the ministry, the NCDC and the FCT Health Services Secretariat were working with other relevant authorities to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.
Public health teams had begun tracing 44 identified contacts and were working to locate and monitor additional people who might have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
Surveillance has also been intensified, while the hospital where the patient was treated is receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures. The Federal Government has directed public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain on high alert and report suspected infections promptly.
THE ISSUES
Ogun’s response highlights the importance of surveillance beyond the location where an Ebola case is confirmed. Monitoring people who may have been exposed, strengthening healthcare facilities and preparing frontline personnel can help authorities identify suspected infections quickly.
The state’s disclosure that 111 persons of interest completed monitoring without further follow-up indicates that surveillance activities were already underway. However, the government has not reported an Ebola case in Ogun as of Wednesday.
For residents and businesses, clear public health information is important to avoid unnecessary alarm while ensuring that suspected symptoms or possible exposure are reported promptly. Healthcare facilities also need to maintain infection prevention procedures to reduce risks to staff, patients and caregivers.
WHAT’S BEING SAID
“Public sensitisation and infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities are being intensified.” – Dr Tomi Coker, Ogun State Commissioner for Health.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Ogun State Government said it would continue coordinating with federal health authorities as the situation develops. Residents have been asked to cooperate with surveillance teams, provide accurate information when contacted and follow official public health guidance.
Suspected cases can be reported through the following channels:
- Ogun State epidemiologist: 08084250881
- NCDC toll-free line: 6232
Healthcare workers have also been directed to identify and isolate suspected cases promptly, observe infection prevention protocols and immediately report suspected infections to public health authorities.
BOTTOM LINE
Ogun has intensified Ebola surveillance and preparedness following the imported case confirmed in Abuja, while reporting no cases in the state as of Wednesday. Sustained monitoring, early reporting and coordination between state and federal health authorities will be central to limiting the risk of further transmission.
Source: NAN
