NOA urges vigilance against Ebola threat

The National Orientation Agency has urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and comply with public health advisories as African health authorities intensify efforts to contain the outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease. Ijeoma Ulasi, the deputy director and Health and Social Care Desk Officer of NOA in Enugu, made the call during a sensitisation programme on the disease in Enugu recently. Although Nigeria remains on high alert over the outbreak, no confirmed case of the disease has been recorded in the country. Ms Ulasi said Nigeria’s extensive international travel, porous borders and busy airports placed the country at risk of importing the deadly virus from affected countries and regions. She explained that Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease was a severe viral illness caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which posed significant public health concerns. According to Ms Ulasi, the disease spreads through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or contaminated materials from infected persons, as well as from infected wild animals. She identified fruit bats, monkeys and chimpanzees among animals capable of transmitting the virus to humans through direct contact with infected tissues or bodily fluids. “The World Health Organisation declared the current outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May, following rising cases and deaths reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda,” she said. Ms Ulasi said the disease had an incubation period of between two and 21 days, with symptoms including fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, sore throat and vomiting. Other symptoms, she said, included diarrhoea, abdominal pain, skin rash, unexplained bleeding and shock, emphasising the importance of seeking medical attention when such signs appeared. The deputy director said that there was currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, making prevention the most effective control measure. “Nigerians experiencing these symptoms, particularly after travelling to affected countries or coming into contact with suspected cases, have been advised to seek immediate medical attention. “To strengthen the country’s preparedness, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated its National Emergency Operations Centre, enhanced surveillance nationwide and upgraded emergency response measures,” Ms Ulasi added. Ms Ulasi said Enugu State was among locations considered at higher risk because of its strategic travel and commercial links, particularly through the Akanu Ibiam International Airport. She restated that sustained vigilance and collective action remained crucial to preventing the introduction and spread of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease within Nigeria and neighbouring countries. The agency urged Nigerians to maintain good personal hygiene, avoid contact with sick or dead animals, promptly report suspected cases and comply with health advisories issued by authorities. (NAN) We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.