Nigeria acts on WHO Ebola alert in Congo

The Nigerian government has called for heightened vigilance and intensified awareness efforts on symptoms of hemorrhagic fevers following the outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In a statement made available to Xinhua in Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub on Sunday, Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, advised health care providers and members of the public, to report any sign of illness to public health officials.

He said in response to the announcement by the WHO on confirmed cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), government had directed health officials stationed at the ports, to step up inspection activities.

He said the symptoms to look out for included fever, fatigue, weakness, dizziness and muscle aches.

According to him, patients with more severe cases would show bleeding under the skin, or even from mouth and ears.

DR Congo's health ministry on Friday confirmed the outbreak of an Ebola epidemic in its northern region. Local authorities said three deaths have been reported among nine suspected cases of the Ebola virus since April 22.

The minister urged Nigerians not to panic as the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) was equipped to secure the health of citizens.

He said NCDC had been strengthening states capacities to detect, manage and respond to hemorrhagic fevers, including Lassa fever.

Adewole called on states to begin social mobilization and media awareness efforts, via TV, radio, print and social media.

The minister directed all health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, by screening all fevers for Ebola and other hemorrhagic fevers.

Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured citizens of adequate surveillance at the nation's airports following the outbreak of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Henrietta Yakubu, FAAN's spokesperson, said there was no direct flight from Congo to Nigeria.

Yakubu also assured that all the preventive measures being put in place at the airports were still in place.

She said the Port Health officials were at alert at all airports, adding that the authority had also informed them of the need to increase surveillance.

Nigeria experienced the Ebola virus in July, 2014 when a Liberian American, Patrick Sawyer, who had the disease flew from Liberia to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and died five days later.

In response, the Nigerian government observed all of Sawyer's contacts for signs of infection and increased surveillance at all entry points to the country.

Nigeria was able to curtail the disease and was subsequently declared Ebola free by WHO. Endit