BREAKING: NCDC Identifies Two Suspected Ebola Cases In North-East Nigeria, Begins Contact Tracing
Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified two suspected cases of Ebola disease in the country’s North-East region, with both individuals reportedly isolated as health authorities begin contact identification and laboratory investigations.
The development was disclosed by the agency on Saturday, October 31, through a social media update, according to reports on the announcement.
NCDC said investigations were ongoing to establish whether the two individuals had contracted the disease, while public health officials had commenced the process of identifying and listing people who might have been exposed.
The agency stressed that the identification of suspected cases does not amount to confirmation of Ebola infection, as laboratory testing is required to establish their status.
It also urged Nigerians to maintain proper hand hygiene, practise good environmental sanitation and comply with public health guidance while investigations continue.
The latest development comes amid Nigeria’s ongoing response to an imported case of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which was confirmed in the Federal Capital Territory on October 20.
The confirmed case involved a 42-year-old woman who arrived in Abuja from Uganda through Addis Ababa on October 3.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the woman developed symptoms on October 7 and sought medical attention at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11.
Laboratory testing confirmed the infection on October 20, prompting contact tracing and other public health measures.
In its October 29 situation report, NCDC disclosed that 62 contacts linked to the confirmed case had been identified and were undergoing follow-up.
The agency also reported that the confirmed patient had been medically evacuated to Switzerland on October 26, following a formal request from her country and clearance from Nigerian authorities.
The report further documented one suspected case from Enugu State within the preceding 24 hours, with laboratory results returning negative for Ebola.
NCDC has continued to strengthen surveillance, laboratory testing, isolation arrangements and contact-tracing activities as part of efforts to prevent further transmission.
The agency has urged Nigerians to cooperate with public health officials, maintain good hygiene and avoid spreading unverified information about the outbreak.
The laboratory status of the two newly reported suspected cases in the North-East had not been independently established as of the time of filing this report.
