Sweep when two suspicious cases are displayed negative for the Ebola

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) explained that the two recent suspicious cases of viral hemorrhagic fever in Abuja are tested negative for Ebola and Marburg viruses.

NCDC, in a statement, on Friday, observed that the suspicious cases involved a traveler who, after returning to Nigeria from Kigali, immediately presented himself to a Premier Della Nisa hospital, Abuja, when he felt bad.

He said that the traveler’s decision to report in advance, combined with the supervision of the clinician and the hospital team, assured that the public health system was promptly activated and that the risk for the public has been reduced to a minimum.

The general manager of the ENCCC, Dr. Jide Idris, in the declaration, observed that the NCDC had already conducted a dynamic risk assessment following recent reports on Ebola’s viral disease in other countries and that expected measures were implemented nationally.

“We have activated multidisciplinary collaboration with the Federal and State Health Authorities, strengthening surveillance in entry points, alerted the insulation/treatment structures and prepare the prevention of critical infections and the related cases of management of cases,” he said.

He confirmed that the NCDC national reference laboratories were waiting to provide quick tests and public health teams are ready to conduct a trace of contact if necessary.

“But beyond these immediate passages, NCDC is also working with states and partners to strengthen readiness in all 36 states and the FCT. This includes the updating of the insulation structures, the strengthening of IPC training for health workers, the management of simulation exercises and the guarantee of a clear path for access to medical countermeasures such as vaccines and therapeutic if ever requested.

“State governments and health ministries must continue to support the agents of Pogne diseases, ensure that the isolation centers are functional and provide necessary resources for a quick response.

“In the same way, health workers in both public and private structures must maintain a high suspicion index, always apply rigid infections prevention measures and immediately report unusual cases through the established IDSR channels,” he said.

He said that private hospitals played a fundamental role in early diagnosis and must be completely integrated in surveillance and preparation efforts at all levels.

The head of the NCDC praised the doctors and members of the staff of the Nisa Premier hospital, Abuja, whose high suspect index and immediate signaling triggered a quick and coordinated response.

“We also recognize the FCT epidemiology and quick response teams, port health services, reference national partners, airline and immigration and other interested parties whose rapid collaboration with NCDC demonstrates the strength of the Nigeria preparation system. Together, their actions exemplify the way in which the supervision and team work prevent potential public health emergencies.” [Daily Sun]

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