Nigeria urged to strengthen screening after Bundibugyo Ebola case
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Nigeriahealthwatch
After confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola in Abuja, Nigerian health facilities are being urged to strengthen screening, isolation of suspected cases and infection prevention. Nigeria Health Watch says Kenya’s experience, where nine cases had been reported by 20 October, shows the importance of contact tracing and protecting healthcare workers.
Nigerian hospitals and clinics must strengthen screening and infection prevention after confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease in Abuja, Nigeria Health Watch says. Reception staff, nurses, clinicians and cleaners must be able to recognise symptoms quickly, ask patients about their recent travel and refer suspected cases for safe care.
The organisation recommends strict hand hygiene, waste management and cleaning, as well as access to protective equipment and an operational telephone number. A suspected case must be isolated and reported immediately, and transported safely if the national response team arranges it.
In Kenya, nine confirmed cases had been reported by 20 October, including one death. The following eight cases, including healthcare workers, were linked to the first patient and had already been placed in quarantine when diagnosed, with no evidence of transmission beyond that group, according to Nigeria Health Watch.
Nigeria is relying in particular on the national Turn Nigeria Orange programme, launched in 2019 in tertiary healthcare facilities. The network had 41 active facilities in 2023, with at least one in every state. No vaccine is specifically licensed against the Bundibugyo virus; use of Ervebo against this strain remains limited to research protocols, according to updated World Health Organisation recommendations.
The appeal comes after confirmation of the first Bundibugyo Ebola case in Nigeria, announced on 21 October. On 22 October, the WHO called on African countries to strengthen their preparedness for the Bundibugyo virus.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
