The Nigerian Government has expressed its readiness to prevent the importation of Ebola into the country.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made this known while briefing the press on the current status of Lassa Fever in Nigeria and the outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of in Congo.
Adewole said the Federal Government is fully prepared to stop any attempt to import Ebola into the country.
He said: “Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is coordinating a national working group that is assessing and managing the risk to Nigeria.
“We are in close communication with our partners, including the World Health Organization, who are in Congo to monitor and respond to the situation.
“The Port Health services unit has been placed on red-alert and will heighten screening measures at port of entry, letters of alert have been sent to all states to enhance surveillance activities and advisory note for the general public.”
The Minister explained that the Federal Ministry Health has strengthened health security infrastructure to effectively prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease, including Ebola.
Speaking on Lassa fever, the Minister announced that emergency phase of Lassa has come to an end.
Adewole said: “We are pleased to announce that the following the epidemiological review by Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control and World Health Organization, the emergency phase of Lassa fever outbreak is over.”
Adewole said at the beginning of this year, Nigeria experienced the largest Lassa fever outbreak in history, adding that as at May 7, 2018, 423 confirmed cases and 106 deaths were recorded.
During the outbreak, the Minister said the Federal Ministry of Health supported full operationalization of the Virology Centre at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State and development of its laboratory as a testing site.
It has also supported further development of infrastructure at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and Federal Medical Centre, Owo.
He added that Ministry of Health now has four laboratories with capacity to test Lassa fever against the two that it used to have.
The Minister however noted that the end of outbreak Lassa fever does not mean Nigeria will no longer record cases of Lassa fever.
He said given the epidemiology of the diseases in Nigeria, there will still be reports of cases, but Nigeria is now better prepared and have a stronger response architecture.
“The federal Ministry of Health remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of all Nigerians,” Adewole said.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the centre in partnership with Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital has commenced nationwide training of health care workers on Lassa fever case management and diagnosis.
Ihekweazu said: “The first phase, which covered all states in the South West of Nigeria, ended in Akure on the 4th of May 2018.
“We are going to the South East from 14th of May, 2018.”
He appreciated the Governors of Edo, Ondo and Ebony States for investing money in the fight against Lassa fever in their states.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
