The Mandate Secretary for Health in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Dolapo Fasawe has assured the residents that there is no outbreak of Ebola disease in the nation’s capital city as is being rumoured.
Speaking to news media today, September 19, the Mandate Secretary however confirmed that a suspected case of Ebola virus disease in the FCT tested negative for both Ebola and Marburg diseases.
Dr. Fasawe commended the robust health infrastructure and proactive measures put in place by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, which, she said, enabled the rapid detection and containment of the potential threat.
The Secretary said that the suspected case involved an individual, identified as “Patient X” in the FCT, for reasons of confidentiality, who had a travel history from Rwanda, which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo where Ebola has been confirmed.
She commended the health-seeking habit of the patient, who she said went directly to a hospital upon feeling ill, praising the hospital for following infectious disease protocols by immediately isolating the patient and contacting the health authorities.
“This is not the first suspected case we have had this year, but due to an effective and efficient surveillance system put in place by this administration, we have been able to follow protocols better than other states.”
The Secretary aid the recent commissioning of an Emergency Operations Centre and the active surveillance team as key to the swift response.
Dr. Fasawe said that the Health Secretariat is working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to secure all borders, particularly the air border, to ensure more vigilance for individuals arriving from countries with confirmed epidemics.
The Secretary appealed to media to verify information before publishing to prevent unnecessary panic and stigmatisation.
She also issued a direct public health message to all residents, urging them to improve their health-seeking habits.
“Every fever is not malaria. If you have any sign of illness, especially with a fever or any abnormal bleeding from the nose, ears, eyes, or any other orifice, it is a very big emergency. “You must report to the nearest health centre immediately.”
