Ebola: US Warns Citizens in Nigeria, Advises 21-Day Health Monitoring
The United States Mission in Nigeria has advised American citizens living in the country to exercise caution following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The mission urged anyone who might have been exposed to the virus to seek medical guidance if they developed symptoms consistent with Ebola.
It also advised people at risk of exposure to monitor their health for 21 days after travelling to an area experiencing an Ebola outbreak.
The advisory, issued on Wednesday, October 21, followed Nigeria’s confirmation of an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease.
The mission also reminded Americans to continue taking malaria-prevention medication as prescribed by their doctors, noting that some malaria symptoms can resemble those of Ebola and lead to unnecessary health concerns.
It further advised American citizens to check their travel insurance policies for medical evacuation provisions in case they became ill while abroad.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria confirmed the imported case on October 20 after laboratory tests identified the virus in a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda.
The woman developed symptoms on October 7, four days after arriving in Nigeria, and sought medical attention at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11.
She was subsequently placed in isolation and is receiving medical care.
The WHO said 44 contacts had been identified and were being monitored as health authorities worked to establish the likely source of the infection and reconstruct the patient’s travel and exposure history.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated its incident management system to coordinate the national response, while health authorities have intensified contact tracing and infection prevention measures.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died, as well as through contaminated materials.
The 21-day monitoring period reflects the time within which symptoms may develop following exposure. People who suspect they have been exposed should contact health professionals for guidance rather than presenting themselves at a healthcare facility without first alerting the provider.
The US advisory comes as Nigerian health authorities continue efforts to identify potentially exposed people and prevent further transmission.
The WHO has urged countries to maintain surveillance and preparedness but said travel or trade restrictions against affected countries were not warranted on the basis of the outbreak.
