Ebola: virologists call for vigilance in Nigeria
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Virologists are calling on Nigerian healthcare workers to remain highly vigilant towards feverish patients who have travelled to areas affected by Ebola, after an imported case was confirmed. They recommend rapid screening, contact tracing and isolating confirmed cases, according to PUNCH Healthwise.
Nigerian virologists are calling on healthcare workers to maintain a high level of vigilance towards any feverish patient who has recently travelled to an area affected by Ebola. They recommend rapid assessment, checking travel and exposure histories, laboratory testing, contact tracing and isolating confirmed cases, according to comments gathered by PUNCH Healthwise.
The experts are also asking hospitals to strengthen screening and triage in emergency departments and outpatient clinics. They recommend wearing personal protective equipment, regular handwashing and sustained monitoring of people who have been in contact with the confirmed case, while advising against indiscriminate quarantining in healthcare facilities.
Nigeria has confirmed an imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory, after a woman who had recently travelled to Uganda developed symptoms and sought treatment at a private clinic in Abuja. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated its incident management system, while high-risk contacts are being placed in quarantine facilities and potential exposures are being investigated.
The World Health Organisation estimates the case fatality rate of Bundibugyo Ebola virus at about 32.8%. The virologists also warn of staff shortages, which could reduce the health system’s response capacity, according to PUNCH Healthwise.
These recommendations follow the appeal issued on 22 October for Nigerian hospitals to strengthen screening, after the WHO supported Nigeria on 21 October and called for stronger preparedness in Africa on 22 October.
