THE Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and commenced contact tracing to prevent further transmission of the infection, while urging Nigerians to remain vigilant, observe preventive measures and promptly report suspected cases.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, disclosed this on Tuesday following laboratory confirmation of the case involving a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.
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The woman was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the infection was confirmed.
According to the Federal Government, she is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
The government said 44 contacts had been identified, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
Public health teams are working to identify and monitor other people who may have been exposed to the infection.
The government has intensified surveillance and urged public and private health facilities to remain on high alert, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and report suspected infections to public health authorities.
Pate also appealed to people contacted by public health teams, including passengers who may have travelled with the patient, to cooperate with the contact-tracing exercise.
Against the backdrop of the confirmed case, PUNCH Online revisited the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) fact sheet on Ebola disease and its guidance on contact tracing to sensitise Nigerians on how the infection spreads and the precautions they can take to reduce the risk of infection.
According to the WHO’s Ebola disease fact sheet, people can contract the disease through direct contact, through broken skin or mucous membranes, with the blood or other body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola.
The virus can also spread through objects and surfaces contaminated with infected body fluids, including blood, faeces and vomit.
The WHO says people cannot transmit the disease before they develop symptoms, but they remain infectious for as long as the virus is present in their blood.
Human infection can also occur through contact with infected animals, including fruit bats and certain wild animals, particularly when people handle or consume infected animals.
The global health agency advises people to avoid contact with sick or dead wild animals and not to eat their raw meat.
The WHO advises people to avoid close physical contact with anyone suspected or confirmed to have Ebola, particularly contact with their body fluids.
Suspected and confirmed patients should be isolated in designated treatment facilities, where they can receive appropriate care and infection-control measures can be applied.
People should maintain good hand hygiene and keep their surroundings clean.
Healthcare workers must use appropriate personal protective equipment and follow infection prevention and control procedures when caring for suspected or confirmed cases, especially when there is a risk of exposure to blood, body fluids or contaminated materials.
The WHO also advises communities to ensure that burials are conducted safely and with dignity.
Traditional or funeral practices involving direct contact with the body of someone who died from Ebola can expose others to infection.
The WHO says Ebola symptoms may appear between two and 21 days after infection.
Early symptoms can include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.
These may be followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and other complications.
However, the WHO cautions that Ebola can be difficult to distinguish from other illnesses, including malaria and typhoid fever, based on symptoms alone.
Anyone who develops symptoms after a possible exposure should seek urgent medical assessment and inform healthcare workers about the possible contact.
People should not attempt to diagnose or treat suspected Ebola at home.
Contact tracing involves identifying people who may have been exposed to an infected person and following up on their health.
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The WHO says this helps contacts access care promptly if symptoms develop and helps public health authorities interrupt further transmission.
The organisation recommends monitoring the health of people who may have been exposed for 21 days, corresponding to the maximum known incubation period.
Anyone contacted by public health authorities should provide accurate information and follow the instructions given by health officials.
Nigerians who suspect an exposure should cooperate with public health teams rather than conceal information or avoid follow-up.
The Federal Government has also provided the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s toll-free call centre, 6232, for information and reports of suspected cases.
The WHO says early supportive care, including rehydration and treatment of symptoms, can improve survival.
Prompt reporting, early medical care, cooperation with contact tracing and consistent infection-control practices are therefore important in limiting the risk of further transmission.
20 Things Nigerians Should Know About Ebola:
1. Ebola is caused by a virus.
It is caused by viruses belonging to the genus Orthoebolavirus.
2. Ebola was first identified in 1976.
The first recognised outbreaks occurred in what are now the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.
3. Ebola occurs primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
Most recognised outbreaks have occurred in African countries.
4. Ebola can be deadly.
Case-fatality rates have varied between outbreaks, sometimes reaching 80–90 per cent or higher, depending on the outbreak and circumstances.
5. Ebola does not spread simply by being near someone.
Standing beside, walking past or sharing a public space with an infected person does not ordinarily transmit the disease.
6. Ebola is not spread through the air like flu or COVID-19.
Transmission primarily occurs through direct contact with infectious body fluids or contaminated materials.
7. Ebola spreads through infected body fluids.
These include blood, vomit, faeces, urine, saliva, sweat, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids.
8. People become contagious when symptoms begin.
A person infected with Ebola is not considered contagious before developing symptoms.
9. The incubation period can last between two and 21 days.
Symptoms most often begin around eight to 10 days after exposure.
10. Fever is a common early symptom.
Other early symptoms include headache, muscle aches, weakness and fatigue.
11. Ebola can cause severe digestive symptoms.
Vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain may occur as the illness progresses.
12. Bleeding may occur in severe cases.
Some patients develop unexplained bleeding, although bleeding does not occur in every case.
13. Ebola can lead to organ failure.
Severe illness can damage multiple organs and cause shock.
14. Healthcare workers may face a high risk of infection.
The risk increases when they care for infected patients without appropriate protective equipment and infection-control procedures.
15. Family caregivers can also be exposed.
Direct contact with an infected person’s body fluids without proper precautions can transmit the virus.
16. Contaminated objects can spread Ebola.
Needles, clothing, bedding and medical equipment contaminated with infectious body fluids can transmit the virus.
17. Safe burial practices are essential.
The body of someone who has died from Ebola can remain infectious, making safe handling and burial procedures crucial.
18. Animals can be a source of infection.
Contact with infected wildlife, including certain bats and non-human primates, may expose people to Ebola viruses.
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19. Ebola is diagnosed through laboratory testing.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of blood is commonly used to detect the virus in living patients.
20. Suspected cases require immediate medical assessment.
Patients should be separated from others in healthcare settings while appropriate testing and infection-control measures are arranged.
