NCDC heightens surveillance over Ebola outbreak in Uganda

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says disease surveillance has been heightened following the recent outbreak of Ebola in Uganda.

On January 30, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed an outbreak of the Sudan virus disease (SVD) in Uganda.

SVD belongs to the same genus as the fatal Ebola virus disease (EVD).

The infectious haemorrhagic fever is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids and tissue.

A nurse died while seeking treatment at medical facilities, after developing fever-like symptoms in Kampala, Uganda’s capital.

In a statement on Sunday, the NCDC said while there are no cases of EVD in Nigeria, the agency, in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and partners, through the national emerging viral haemorrhagic diseases (EVHD) technical working group, continues to monitor disease occurrence.

The agency also said it has initiated measures to strengthen preparedness.

“These include the update of our EVD emergency contingency plan, heightened surveillance especially at the points of entry, and optimizing diagnostic capacity for EVD testing in designated laboratories in cities with international airports of entry and the National Reference Laboratory,” the statement reads.

“In addition, all Lassa Fever testing laboratories can be activated to scale up testing if the need arises.”

The agency said based on the dynamic risk assessment conducted in response to the recent Marburg outbreak in Rwanda, the risk of Ebola in Nigeria is also classified as moderate.

“A moderate risk classification indicates that EVD, without mitigation, is likely to occur in Nigeria, with potential for significant public health consequences. So, we need to take the necessary precautions,” the statement reads.

“There are vaccines and therapeutics available for some strains of the Ebola virus. The approved vaccine for the Zaire species (EBV) is not currently available in the country but can be obtained from the WHO Afro and does not protect against the Sudan virus.

“However, early recognition, isolation of patients, and initiation of supportive treatment, implementing infection and control measures in health facilities and homes, tracing and monitoring of contacts, and safe burial practices, significantly reduce morbidity and the probability of death.”

The NCDC urged Nigerians to take preventive measures like regular hand washing and avoid consumption of bush meat.

The agency also advised citizens and residents to avoid all but essential travel to countries with confirmed Ebola cases.