Health authorities are tracing individuals who might have come into contact with the affected person throughout the interval she might have uncovered others to the virus.
Pate stated the train lined healthcare staff, sufferers, caregivers and individuals who travelled with the girl.
“Contact tracing has been conducted, and it’s underway as we speak, with 44 contacts already identified presently,” the minister stated.
He referred to as on anybody contacted by public well being officers, notably passengers who might have been on the identical flight because the affected person, to offer correct data and comply with the directions given to them.
“Anyone contacted during the contact tracing period that we are in, including those who may have travelled with that individual, should provide necessary information requested and follow public health advice,” he stated.
The improvement comes amid rising concern in regards to the attainable unfold of Ebola throughout borders following current instances reported in East Africa.
On October 6, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) introduced elevated surveillance after Kenya confirmed an imported case of Ebola attributable to the Bundibugyo virus, which was linked to an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The NCDC warned that worldwide journey and inhabitants motion might improve the danger of the illness getting into Nigeria.
As a part of its preparedness measures, the company stated it was strengthening illness surveillance, laboratory testing, isolation and referral companies, contact tracing and an infection prevention. It was additionally working with state and worldwide well being authorities to enhance coordination.
Ebola is a severe viral illness that spreads primarily by means of direct contact with the blood or different physique fluids of an contaminated one who has developed signs. It can even unfold by means of contaminated supplies.
Symptoms often develop between two and 21 days after publicity. They might embody fever, extreme headache, weak point, muscle ache, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Health officers say figuring out and monitoring contacts is crucial as a result of individuals uncovered to the virus might not develop signs instantly. Being recognized as a contact doesn’t imply an individual has contracted the illness.
Pate stated the federal government was stepping up surveillance and supporting the non-public hospital the place the girl initially acquired remedy to strengthen an infection prevention and management measures.
He urged private and non-private healthcare amenities throughout the nation to stay alert, isolate suspected instances promptly and report them instantly to public well being authorities.
The minister additionally appealed to Nigerians to stay calm, practise common handwashing, keep away from contact with the physique fluids of anybody suspected of getting Ebola and chorus from sharing unverified data or stigmatising individuals who might have been uncovered.
He recalled Nigeria’s profitable response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak, expressing confidence in the nation’s public well being experience and response programs.
The Federal Government stated investigations and get in touch with tracing had been ongoing, including that additional data could be offered because it turned accessible.
Members of the general public can name the NCDC’s toll-free quantity, 6232, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days every week, for data or to report a suspected case.
