The Federal Government has launched an emergency contact-tracing exercise after confirming an Ebola infection in a woman who recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda.
The woman, whose case was laboratory-confirmed on Tuesday, October 20, is receiving treatment in isolation at a private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed the development in a statement, announcing that 44 close contacts had been identified for monitoring.
The contact-tracing exercise is being coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant agencies.
Health officials are working to establish the extent of possible exposure, with healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and individuals who may have encountered the woman during her journey among those being monitored.
The government has also intensified disease surveillance and is supporting the hospital where the patient was treated to strengthen infection prevention and control procedures.
Pate called on passengers identified during the tracing exercise and other potentially exposed individuals to cooperate fully with public health officials.
He further urged hospitals and other healthcare facilities across the country to promptly report suspected Ebola infections, isolate patients where necessary and strictly observe infection prevention protocols.
Members of the public were advised to watch for symptoms including fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly if they may have been exposed to the virus.
Anyone who suspects exposure should contact public health authorities immediately, even without symptoms. People who develop symptoms should avoid close contact with others and call health officials for guidance before visiting a hospital.
The minister urged Nigerians to maintain good hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of suspected cases and rely on verified information rather than rumours.
He also cautioned against stigmatising individuals who may have been exposed, stressing the importance of public cooperation in containing the infection.
According to the statement, investigations and containment measures are ongoing, with federal and FCT authorities working with relevant partners to prevent further transmission.
The NCDC’s toll-free call centre is available round the clock to provide information and receive reports of suspected cases. Members of the public can call 6232 for assistance.