The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has dismissed reports that the Ebola outbreak could lead to the postponement of an election, describing the claims as false.
The agency also disclosed that 54 contacts linked to Nigeria’s imported Ebola case remained under surveillance, while three contacts who developed symptoms last week had tested negative for the virus.
It cautioned against reports claiming that Nigeria had been declared Ebola-free, explaining that although there was no confirmed case in the country following the evacuation of the infected patient to Switzerland, monitoring of exposed persons was ongoing.
The clarification came a day after the patient and her husband were evacuated to Switzerland on October 26, following an improvement in her clinical condition.
According to the NCDC, the 54 primary contacts linked to the imported case were being monitored daily, with most in quarantine in Abuja and a few observing self-quarantine at home.
The agency said three contacts developed symptoms last week and were tested for Ebola, but all returned negative results.
It added that contact tracing and surveillance would continue to identify and monitor secondary contacts who might have interacted with the primary contacts at home or elsewhere.
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The exercise, it said, was necessary to determine the extent of possible exposure and establish whether the virus had spread beyond the original case.
The NCDC urged Nigerians not to interpret the absence of additional confirmed cases as the end of the response, stressing that continued vigilance was necessary to prevent further transmission.
NCDC approves weekly support for quarantined contacts
In a related development, the authorities approved ₦100,000 in weekly support for people placed in quarantine to ease the financial and social difficulties associated with movement restrictions.
The NCDC said the intervention followed concerns raised by quarantined contacts about disruptions to their daily activities and difficulties meeting their welfare needs.
It explained that the support was not included in the original response plan, noting that state governments, including the Federal Capital Territory Administration, had responsibilities in providing such assistance.
The agency said it had contacted the FCT Minister to seek the administration’s involvement in addressing the needs of affected individuals.
However, it maintained that the immediate welfare needs of those in quarantine had to be addressed while discussions on appropriate funding arrangements continued.
Agency warns against false Ebola-free claims
The NCDC expressed concern over media reports suggesting that Nigeria had been declared Ebola-free following the World Health Organisation’s clarification that the country currently had no confirmed case.
It described the reports as inaccurate and misleading, warning that they could create a false sense of security and discourage the public from observing necessary precautions.
The agency urged journalists to verify information through official channels before publication and correct false reports on the same platforms and with the same prominence as the original claims.
It acknowledged that questions about preparedness, funding and the pace of contact tracing were legitimate aspects of public accountability.
However, it distinguished between legitimate scrutiny and misinformation, warning that presenting unverified claims as established facts could cause unnecessary fear and undermine the response.
The NCDC pledged to provide timely, on-record responses to media enquiries.
NCDC defends evacuation of Ebola patient
The agency also rejected suggestions that the evacuation of the infected woman to Switzerland amounted to a vote of no confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
It explained that the patient was in poor condition when she initially presented at a hospital but had shown clinical improvement before her departure.
The NCDC said the evacuation should not be politicised, stressing that decisions concerning patients’ lives and medical care should take precedence over political considerations.
The patient’s Ebola infection was confirmed on October 20 after she returned to Abuja from Uganda. She was evacuated alongside her husband at the request and expense of the Swiss government.
Public urged to avoid stigmatising patients
The NCDC urged journalists to protect the privacy and dignity of patients, quarantined individuals and their families.
It warned against publishing names, photographs or addresses that could identify patients and contacts, noting that such disclosures could expose them and their relatives to discrimination.
The agency also cautioned against stigmatising healthcare facilities associated with the treatment of affected individuals.
It reiterated that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected person who is symptomatic, not through the air.
The NCDC added that people who had not developed symptoms were not infectious, urging the public not to treat every traveller returning from an affected area as a threat.
Anyone experiencing fever alongside a relevant travel or contact history was advised to call the designated Ebola response hotline, 6232, before visiting a healthcare facility and to alert public health officials upon arrival.
The agency maintained that continued surveillance, accurate information and public cooperation were essential to preventing further transmission.
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