Nigeria At ‘Moderate Risk’ Of Ebola – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced that Nigeria is at ‘moderate risk’ of an Ebola outbreak.

Naija News reports that the NCDC made this known in a statement on its website.

According to the disease control agency, Nigeria was at moderate risk due to the proximity of Guinea to Nigeria and other West African countries.

The NCDC said it has an existing multi-sectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic Diseases Working Group, which coordinates preparedness efforts for EVD and other emerging viral haemorrhagic diseases.

“The EVHDWG has carried out a risk assessment on the possibility of transmission of the virus to Nigeria,” the agency said.

“Given the proximity of Guinea to Nigeria and other West African countries as well as other indicators, Nigeria has been placed at moderate risk of an EVD outbreak.

“The outputs from this risk assessment are being used to initiate preparedness activities in-country.”

“A National Emergency Operations Centre operating from NCDC’s Incident Coordination Centre is on alert mode.

“We have a team of first responders on standby, ready to be deployed within 24 hours in the event of an EVD outbreak in Nigeria.

“We have also established testing capacity for EVD at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory.

“The NCDC will continue working with states to strengthen preparedness activities across the country,” NCDC added.

The Ebola virus can be transmitted via direct contact with bodily fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from the disease.

The virus can enter the body stream through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth.

This can also be spread through contact with objects contaminated by infected persons as well as direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected fruit bats or primates.

To prevent the spread of Ebola, NCDC advises members of the public to adhere to the following precautions:

• Wash your hands frequently using soap and water – use hand sanitisers when soap and water is not readily available.

• Avoid direct handling of dead wild animals.

• Avoid physical contact with anyone who has possible symptoms of an infection with an unknown diagnosis.

• Make sure fruits and vegetables are properly washed and peeled before you eat them.

• Health care workers are advised to ensure universal precautions at all times. This includes the use of personal protective equipment always when handling patients.