The Edo State Government has urged residents to remain calm, observe preventive measures and promptly report suspected cases following the confirmation of a new Ebola virus disease (EVD) case in Nigeria.
Dr Paul Eighemhenrio, Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, made the call on Wednesday in Benin at a news conference on behalf of the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole.
Eighemhenrio said the state was strengthening surveillance and preparedness measures in collaboration with relevant health authorities to protect residents.
According to him, the measures include intensified surveillance in communities and health facilities, infection prevention and control, follow-up of relevant passengers, and public health awareness.
The permanent secretary advised residents to avoid direct contact with other people’s blood and body fluids and practise good hand hygiene by washing their hands regularly with soap and running water or using alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
He urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, particularly after possible exposure, to seek immediate medical attention.
Eighemhenrio also advised anyone who believed they might have been exposed to the virus to notify health authorities promptly and comply with public health instructions.
He urged residents to cooperate with public health teams conducting contact tracing and cautioned against stigmatising affected persons, their families or individuals identified as contacts.
He also advised the public against spreading rumours and unverified information, urging residents to rely on official communications from recognised public health authorities.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and rely exclusively on official communications from recognised public health authorities,” Eighemhenrio said.
The permanent secretary recalled that Nigeria contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014, emphasising the importance of coordinated public health action in preventing the spread of the disease.
“The country had an outbreak in 2014 and was able to adequately contain it,” he said.
He said residents requiring further information or wishing to report suspected cases should contact designated public health officials on 08065525595, 07039275557 and 08060593802.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Tuesday confirmed an Ebola virus disease case in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, following laboratory confirmation.
The case reportedly involved a woman who had recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.
Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, said the woman was in isolation and receiving medical care.
(NAN)