Ebola: FG Says Patient Improving, No Need for Panic in FCT
The Federal Government has urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, not to panic over the imported Ebola case recorded in Abuja, assuring that there is currently no evidence of community transmission.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, gave the assurance on Thursday during a press briefing in Abuja.
“We are assuring Nigerians that we are vigilant and not taking anything for granted. But there is no need for panic,” Pate said.
He explained that the patient arrived in Nigeria asymptomatic but developed symptoms days later, after which she was diagnosed and placed on treatment.
According to him, clinicians managing the case have reported significant improvement in her laboratory results, although government is not taking the recovery for granted.
Pate said contact tracing has been activated, covering contacts in the hospital, a private clinic the patient visited, and her household.
He noted that the contacts have been stratified by risk level, with high-risk persons fully quarantined in a designated facility and others under isolation in accordance with public health protocols.
The Minister added that the response is being coordinated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, working closely with the FCT Administration, while the Ministry is providing overall policy guidance.
He explained that Ebola is not airborne but spreads through direct contact with body fluids of an infected person, urging residents to observe basic preventive measures such as regular handwashing and avoiding contact with other people’s body fluids.
Pate advised anyone with symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle aches, especially with a travel history to affected countries, to immediately self-isolate and alert public health authorities.
He also appealed to persons already identified through contact tracing to comply fully with quarantine and isolation directives.
The Minister disclosed that hospitals nationwide have been directed to prepare isolation beds and reinforce infection prevention and control measures to protect health workers and patients.
According to him, private health facilities are also being engaged to promptly recognize and report suspected cases.
On whether large gatherings and events in Abuja should be suspended, Pate said there is no scientific evidence at present to warrant such a measure.
“At this moment, there is no indication that requires us to alter the course of large gatherings that have been planned,” he said, adding that government will continue to monitor the situation and issue fresh advisories if needed.
He recalled that Nigeria had successfully contained Ebola in the past and has the capacity to diagnose cases within 24 hours of notification, noting that additional resources have been released to NCDC and that partners including WHO and Africa CDC are supporting the response.
Pate urged residents to rely on verified information from official sources and avoid rumours, assuring that government will provide regular updates as the situation evolves.
