The Federal Government has confirmed one imported case of Bundibugyo
ebolavirus in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and has activated public health
response measures to prevent further spread.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate,
disclosed this at a media conference in Abuja on Tuesday, following laboratory
confirmation of the infection on October 20.

Pate said the patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was currently in isolation and receiving medical care.

He said contact tracing had commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far, while public health teams were identifying and monitoring people who might have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.

“Surveillance has also been intensified, and the private hospital where the patient was treated is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures,” he said via Dailypost.

The minister urged public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain on high alert, maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases.

He, however, emphasised that containing the infection required cooperation from the public, early detection and prompt reporting of suspected cases.

“The Government of Nigeria through the Presidential Taskforce on EVD and NCDC will continue to provide updates.

“NCDC free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information or to report a suspected case, please call NCDC toll-free number 6232,” Pate added.(NAN)