The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that two recent suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever in Abuja have tested negative for both Ebola Virus Disease and Marburg Virus.
The NCDC, in a public health advisory issued on Friday and signed by its Director General, Dr Jide Idris, noted that further tests are ongoing for other hemorrhagic fevers, including Lassa fever and dengue fever.
The advisory comes amid public concern and speculation following reports of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever cases in Abuja.
Ebola virus disease, formerly known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, is a severe, often deadly disease caused by the Ebola virus, with a fatality rate of 25–90 per cent.
The NCDC said people become infected with Ebola either through contact with infected live or dead animals (usually following butchering, cooking, or eating) or through contact with the body fluids of infected humans.
Most cases are caused by human-to-human transmission, which occurs when blood, bodily fluids, or secretions (stool, urine, semen) of infected people enter a person’s body through broken skin or mucous membranes.
Ebola symptoms vary, but commonly experienced symptoms include the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, especially at the beginning of the disease.
“The NCDC wishes to inform the public that two recent suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever in Abuja both tested negative for Ebola and Marburg viruses. We are currently testing samples for other viral hemorrhagic fevers like Lassa fever and dengue fever,” the advisory partly read.
The most recent case involved a traveller who, after returning to Nigeria from Kigali, responsibly presented himself immediately to a hospital in Abuja when he felt unwell.
“His decision to report early, combined with the vigilance of the attending clinician and hospital team, ensured that our public health system was promptly activated and that the risk to the public was minimised.
“This responsible action is highly commendable and a good practice all Nigerians are urged to emulate; when you feel unwell, especially after travel, seek care early. Doing so protects you, your family, and your community.
“We deeply commend the clinicians and staff at the Nisa Premier Hospital, Abuja, whose high index of suspicion and immediate reporting triggered a rapid, coordinated response.
“We also recognise the FCT Epidemiology and Rapid Response Teams, the Port Health Services, the National Reference Laboratory, airline and immigration partners, and other stakeholders whose swift collaboration with NCDC demonstrates the strength of Nigeria’s preparedness system.
“Together, their actions exemplify how vigilance and teamwork prevent potential public-health emergencies,” the agency stated.
The agency assured Nigerians that it has activated anticipatory measures nationwide following recent Ebola outbreaks in other countries.
It said the measures include heightened surveillance at ports of entry, alerting isolation facilities, and prepositioning infection-prevention supplies.
It said suspected cases can be reported through the NCDC’s 24/7 Connect Centre via toll-free number 6232, WhatsApp at +234 708 711 0839, SMS at +234 809 955 5577, or email at info@ncdc.gov.ng
(Punch)
