Nigeria on high Ebola alert as Bundibugyo strain spreads in Africa

Nigeria's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed key regions, including Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, on high alert for Ebola. This action follows an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in East and Central Africa. The NCDC advisory highlights Nigeria's significant risk of importing the virus, citing factors like increased regional transmission, international travel, and extensive border networks.

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The immediate objective of our national preparedness and readiness efforts is to ensure that every state and the FCT can reasonably detect, contain, and respond swiftly to any suspected case while protecting health workers and sustaining essential health services.

The agency's national public health advisory, issued to health commissioners, emphasizes that the Bundibugyo variant poses a particular challenge as there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for it. States identified as high-risk include Lagos, FCT, Rivers, Kano, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba, and Adamawa, due to their major international travel hubs and border access points.

The NCDC stated its immediate objective is to ensure all states can effectively detect, contain, and respond to potential cases while safeguarding health workers. Despite Nigeria having no confirmed cases, a dynamic risk assessment indicates a high danger of importation. Neighboring countries like Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have reported 1,077 suspected cases and 247 deaths, with a fatality rate of 24.6 percent. International concern is growing, with suspected cases reported in India and Canada imposing travel restrictions.

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The current Bundibugyo virus outbreak has no licensed vaccines or approved targeted therapeutics.

Health officials caution that Ebola symptoms can initially mimic malaria or Lassa fever, complicating early detection. The NCDC stressed that health workers should suspect Ebola in patients with compatible symptoms and relevant travel history, even without bleeding. The National Emergency Operations Centre has been activated, and state governments are directed to prepare isolation centers and enhance surveillance at entry points.

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Health workers must not wait for bleeding before suspecting Ebola in any patient with compatible symptoms and relevant travel or exposure history.