Nigeria’s resolution to evacuate its confirmed Ebola patient to Switzerland was primarily based on diplomatic concerns, human rights and worldwide well being rules, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris, has revealed.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Mr Idris mentioned the federal authorities permitted the switch after consultations with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, and assurances that sufficient an infection prevention measures can be maintained all through the journey.
The clarification follows an earlier report that the patient, a lady who’s the spouse of a Swiss diplomat in Nigeria, was evacuated by means of the non-public jet wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Mr Idris dismissed recommendations that the federal government had secretly eliminated the patient from Nigeria, saying the evacuation adopted a proper request from the Swiss Embassy.
“I won’t use the word ‘snuck out’. That’s a no-brainer. It is the first time something like that has happened,” he mentioned.
He mentioned the federal government weighed the implications of the switch for public well being, worldwide well being rules and the patient’s rights earlier than granting approval.
According to him, officers ensured that an infection prevention and management protocols have been adopted from the hospital the place the patient was receiving therapy to the plane that transported her.
Patient stays optimistic
Mr Idris mentioned the patient had examined optimistic twice earlier than her evacuation, explaining that enhancements in her medical situation didn’t essentially imply she had cleared the virus.
He counseled the Nigerian medical workforce for stabilising her situation, which he mentioned had deteriorated to the purpose of a number of organ failure.
“There are no drugs to deal with this virus,” Mr Idris mentioned, referring to the absence of a longtime antiviral therapy particularly focusing on the Bundibugyo virus liable for the present outbreak.
Mr Pate earlier confirmed that Nigeria’s Ebola patient and her husband arrived safely in Switzerland on Monday following their medical evacuation from Abuja.
In an replace posted on his official X account, Mr Pate mentioned the patient was receiving therapy at Geneva University Hospitals, whereas her husband had been positioned in isolation at University Hospital Zurich.
“The Swiss authorities have confirmed that the patient and her spouse arrived safely in Switzerland today,” he mentioned.
Previous improvement
Nigeria confirmed its first Ebola case on 20 October, after a 42-year-old Ugandan-born lady residing in Abuja examined optimistic for the illness.
The patient had returned to Nigeria on 3 October after travelling to Uganda and developed signs few days later.
She was subsequently admitted to a well being facility in Abuja, the place she obtained therapy in isolation earlier than her evacuation to Switzerland on Monday.
Following her evacuation, the World Health Organisation (WHO) mentioned Nigeria had no lively confirmed Ebola instances, though contact monitoring and different containment measures have been persevering with.
The WHO mentioned Nigeria was persevering with to monitor 52 contacts, whereas Switzerland had taken duty for the patient’s care and monitoring her husband, who was among the many 53 contacts beforehand recognized.
The NCDC had earlier recognized 53 major contacts linked to the confirmed case, together with healthcare staff, the patient’s husband, home workers and personnel concerned in gathering samples.
Health authorities are monitoring the contacts for potential signs to detect any extra infections and forestall additional transmission.
Mr Pate had earlier mentioned Nigeria might declare the Ebola outbreak over as early as 7 December if no additional confirmed or possible instances have been detected.
Caution
Mr Idris urged Nigerians to preserve good hand hygiene and train warning throughout mass gatherings, notably the place shut bodily contact might happen.
He mentioned handwashing might cut back the unfold of a number of infectious illnesses, whereas recommending measures to restrict pointless bodily contact in crowded settings.
However, he careworn that Ebola is just not airborne. The virus spreads primarily by means of direct contact with the blood or different bodily fluids of an contaminated particular person, or with contaminated supplies.
He suggested individuals who develop signs in line with Ebola, notably after contact with a suspected or confirmed case, to search immediate medical steering.
Mr Idris additionally cautioned in opposition to counting on natural mixtures to forestall or treatment the illness, saying there was no established proof that such preparations might forestall or deal with Ebola. He warned that some natural merchandise might additionally trigger dangerous negative effects.
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