The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported two additional suspected cases of Ebola virus disease, alongside 53 primary contacts, as health authorities intensify efforts to prevent a potential spread of the infection.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, disclosed this on Sunday during a press briefing in Abuja, confirming that isolation and quarantine facilities had been established as part of the response measures.
“We have established two additional suspected cases and 53 primary contact links. They are primary contacts. We have an isolation centre and a quarantine centre,” Idris said.
He explained that Nigeria had about 12 public and private laboratories equipped to test for Ebola, adding that the agency had strengthened laboratory capacity to support the rapid investigation and testing of suspected cases.
According to him, the NCDC is maintaining heightened surveillance across the country and working to ensure that suspected infections are identified and investigated promptly.
Idris also urged healthcare facilities, both public and private, to reinforce screening procedures, triage systems and infection prevention measures. He stressed the importance of ensuring that healthcare workers have adequate personal protective equipment to minimise the risk of exposure.
As part of its containment strategy, public health teams are identifying and monitoring individuals who may have come into contact with the confirmed case. Such contacts will be monitored for 21 days after their last possible exposure.
The NCDC chief appealed to Nigerians contacted by public health officials to cooperate fully with contact-tracing teams and provide accurate information about their movements, contacts and any symptoms they may experience.
The agency said these measures were essential to identifying possible infections early and preventing further transmission.
The latest development comes amid heightened public health vigilance following the confirmation of an Ebola case in Nigeria.